New Delhi: Late Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat's pre-recorded message was played at an event on the occasion 'Swarnim Vijay Parv' on Sunday.
The 'Swarnim Vijay Parv' was inaugurated today at India Gate lawns in Delhi.
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In this message, recorded on December 7, General Bipin Rawat congratulated the brave soldiers of the Indian Army saying: "On the occasion of 'Swarnim Vijay Parv', I congratulate the brave jawans of the Indian army. We are celebrating ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’ to commemorate 50 years of India's victory in the 1971 war. On this special occasion, I remember the bravehearts and pay my respects to them for their sacrifices".
"We invite all citizens to take part in the celebrations of this 'Vijay Parv'," the late Chief of Defence Staff said, as he concluded his address saying: "Apni senaon par hai humein garv, aao mil kar manayen Vijay parv (We are proud of our defence forces, let us celebrate Vijay Parv)".
General Bipin Rawat died in a helicopter crash near Tamil Nadu's Coonoor the following day (December 8).
Meanwhile, speaking at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’, Union Defence Min Rajnath Singh said: "After passing away of Gen. Bipin Rawat, his wife and 11 other Armed Forces personnel, we have decided to celebrate ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv' with simplicity. IAF's Group Captain Varun Singh is under treatment at Command Hospital Bengaluru. We pray for his early recovery"
"Today, I bow to the bravery, valour, and sacrifice of every soldier of India's Armed Forces, due to which India won the 1971 war. The country will always be indebted to them for their sacrifice," he added, as quoted by news agency ANI.