Summary:
Kolkata, Nov 26 (PTI) The "Swarnim Vijay Mashaal" (Victory Flame), which was lit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi last year marking the beginning of the 50th anniversary celebrations of India"s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, was welcomed at a colourful ceremony in Kolkata on Friday.
Enthralling presentations by young boys and girls, a military band display and a film, "1971 War of Liberation", were part of the function at Eco Park.
Several officers of the three services - the Army, Navy and Air Force - were present at the function, apart from retired officers including former Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.
"The Victory Flame will be stationed at Kolkata till December 4," a Defence official said.
Air Marshal (retd) Raha said the flame is an eternal sign of sacrifice.
"We must remember the sacrifices made by the Indian soldiers and the Bangladesh Mukti Joddhas (liberation warriors)," he said, adding that the modern generation needs to be made aware of their valour in the 1971 India-Pakistan war that led to the birth of a new nation - Bangladesh.