The 1971 war is a golden chapter in India's military history. This war not only gave birth to a new nation but the zeal with which the Indian Army displayed its bravery and courage brought Pakistan to its knees. When we remember that historic victory, every Indian and former soldiers are filled with enthusiasm and pride. It was not just a war but proved to be a unique event of indomitable courage along with human emotions, patriotism.
When the Indian Army carried out air strikes against Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor', a wave of patriotism swept across the country. Now when Pakistan's panic is coming to the fore, the former soldiers are also ready to take up arms against Pakistan. People are happy with the Indian Army's retaliatory actions. The former soldiers are full of zeal. They say that if they get a chance, they are ready to serve the country even at this age.
The brave soldiers who fought the 1971 war say that Pakistan has got a befitting reply again. The 1971 war was not just a military conflict. Rather it was a proof of the courage and patriotism of the Indian army. The story of this war is etched in the heart of every Indian.
How the 1971 war gave birth to an independent nation Bangladesh in the neighbourhood. It also brought pride and honour to the Indian army. The brave soldiers who fought in that war still have the same enthusiasm which they showed in the 1971 battlefield.
In the 1971 war, the brave soldiers of India had shown the world that those who raise their eyes towards India will have to pay the price. In the same way, this time also, by carrying out air strikes and retaliating on Pakistan, the soldiers of India have again proved that those who fire bullets at tourists will not be able to live in peace. Pakistan, the country that nurtured them, will regret its mistake for years.
When India and Pakistan were face to face during the 1971 war, it was not just the borders, every village and town of the country had also turned into an emotional battlefield.
At that time, there were no mobile phones or TVs in remote areas, but the echo of patriotism could be heard in every street. Village elderly woman Shanti Singh, wife of late Subedar Chandrabali Singh and Suman Singh, wife of Surendra Bahadur Singh, while sharing old memories once again, said that at that time, the biggest medium of information for the people in small towns and villages of districts like Basti in Rajasthan was radio. As soon as the news started on Akashvani, people used to sit around the radio very quietly.
The village elders used to tell how their breath stopped with every news. On the news of victory in the war, the villages echoed with thunderous applause and patriotic slogans.
Due to the presence of army camps in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, there was a fear of air strikes in the villages of Purvanchal. Elderly women of Pachvas, Pushpa Singh, wife of Dharamvir Singh and Saroj Singh, wife of Amarendra Bahadur Singh, said that the village head and school teachers used to prepare for blackout at that time. The lanterns used to remain extinguished throughout the night.
Former soldiers say that we are still proud of India's victory in the war of that time. At the same time, the relief that the air strike after the Pahalgam incident and the reply given to Pakistan has given can never be forgotten. People say that this air strike done under Operation Sindoor and the retaliatory action taken against Pakistan has given such a wound to Pakistan's pride that it will never be able to heal it. Whenever it casts an evil eye towards India, its soul will start trembling.