Sonia interacts with 1971 war veterans

New Delhi, Dec 16 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today met 1600 veterans of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and heard them narrate their battle experiences as the 35th anniversary of the 'Vijay Diwas' was celebrated by the AICC at the party headquarters here today.

Ms Gandhi also spent some time with the war widows and enquired about the well-being of their families on the occasion. Defence Minister A K Antony was present.

The Congress president also inaugurated a photo exhibition showcasing images of the war from both Eastern and Western sectors.

The exhibition highlighted the ceremony of surrender by the Pakistani Army troops as also then Prime Minster Indira Gandhi's visit to the forward areas during the opeartions.

Among the war veterans who participated in the solemn ceremony were Admiral S M Nanda, the Naval Chief in 1971 war, and many recipents of gallantry awards.

AICC Secretary Praveen Davar told UNI that the Congress would celebrate this historic event every year to remind the younger generations of inspiring leadership of Mrs Indira Gandhi and the sacrifices made by the martyrs and war veterans of the 1971 war.

''The cream of the Defence Forces was present on the occasion,'' he said, terming it the ''biggest gathering of army officers under a political banner.'' The Vijay Diwas was also celebrated by the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States on a similar pattern, especially in Punjab, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Haryana, where ex-servicemen are present in large numbers.

UNI YS VD HT1912