Jammu, Dec. 12 -- It is now nearing five decades since the great Indian victory in the Indo-Pakistan War, 1971. For the nation it is a distant memory with the generation that witnessed the fabulous feat going fast into oblivion. That it was a glorious victory, one of its kind in the annals of Indian Military history, cannot be denied.
Late Field Marshal Sam Mankeshaw, then Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, in the run up to the war, explained explicitly to his troops and to the people of India the righteousness of the action being taken in the larger cause of humanity. His words had an electrifying effect and his soldiers found unmitigated support from the entire country. This was a major factor for the resounding victory. While Pakis...