'Apni senao par hai hame garv': CDS Rawat's last public message played at ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’ event

New Delhi: The Indian Army on Sunday (December 12) released a video clip in which late Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat greeted the armed forces personnel on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war and paid tributes to the fallen heroes.

The video was reportedly recorded on the evening of December 7.

"Apne Senao par hei hame garv, aao milkar manaye Vijay Parv (We are proud of our armies, let's celebrate victory together)," CDS General Bipin Rawat had said in his last public message.

In a 1:10 minute-long clip, he had expressed, "I am extending heartfelt greetings to all the brave soldiers of Indian armed forces on the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Parv. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the victory in the 1971 war as the Vijay Parv."

"I am paying my tributes to our brave soldiers on this occasion, remembering their sacrifices. Several events are being organised at the India Gate between December 12 and 14.

"It is a matter of great pride that Vijay Parv is being organised at the Amar Jawan Jyoti complex which was established in memory of our brave soldiers," Gen Rawat had said in the message.

"We invite all countrymen to participate in the Vijay Parv," he had said.

He ended by saying: "Apne Senao par hei hame garv, aao milkar manaye Vijay Parv."

#WATCH Late CDS General Bipin Rawat's pre-recorded message played at an event on the occasion 'Swarnim Vijay Parv' inaugurated today at India Gate lawns in Delhi. This message was recorded on December 7.

(Source: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/trWYx7ogSy — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2021

CDS Rawat and his wife Madhulika Rawat were among the 13 persons killed in a helicopter crash near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor on December 8. He was cremated side by side on the same pyre with his wife Madhulika Rawat with full military honours at Brar Square crematorium in Delhi Cantonment on December 10.

Earlier in the day, the 'Swarnim Vijay Parv' event was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who informed that this event was scheduled to be organized in a grand form, but after the untimely demise of the country's first CDS, it has been decided to mark it with simplicity. 

"On this occasion, I pay my tributes by remembering him too," Singh expressed.

#VijayParv #VijayParv celebrations were inaugurated by the #RakshaMantri Shri Rajnath Singh at #IndiaGate Lawns today. To commemorate the golden jubilee of #1971War victory, the celebrations would be conducted over two days at #NewDelhi from 12 to 13 Dec 21. pic.twitter.com/KsncWRe7Ok — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 12, 2021

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’. https://t.co/Fr6y7506sx — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 12, 2021

India is organising a series of events to mark the stupendous victory of India over Pakistan in the war 50 years ago. Around 93,000 Pakistani troops had surrendered before the joint forces of the Indian Army and the "Mukti Bahini" on December 16, 1971, that paved way for the birth of Bangladesh.

(With agency inputs)

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