Golden Jubilee Celebration of Victory in the year 1971

At 4.55 pm, the Victory Flame carried by the Flame Officer marched into the MMA auditorium to the tune of Vijay Bharat played by the army band led by Subedar Ganesan. It was received by Lt Gen A Arun YSM, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area, and escorted to the stage by Lt Gen A Arun and Mr Ravichandran Purushothaman, Chairman of MMA. Two 1971 war veterans Rear Admiral Ramsagar (Retd) AVSM, VrC, NM and Col A Krishnaswami (Retd) VrC, VSM were escorted to the stage amidst thunderous applause and introduced.
Mr Ravichandran Purushothaman delivered the welcome address in which he highlighted MMA’s contribution to the field of Management and its streak of bagging 11 best management association awards from AIMA. He thanked Lt Gen A Arun for giving MMA a rare privilege to host this event.
Lt Gen A Arun, in his opening remarks, said that 1971 was a milestone in modern military history. “Never before in the history of modern warfare, had so many people surrendered with all their arms and ammunition to so few. They surrendered to a superior fighting force.
It is the Indian citizens and the Indian soldiers, sailors and airmen who made this possible,” he said. He then explained the background of the 1971 war that started on 23 December 1971.
Excerpts from Lt Gen A Arun’s Speech:
East Pakistan had declared secession and the next day, the Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, acknowledged the secession. What followed was the unleashing of atrocities on the population of East Bengal that triggered an influx of refugees into India’s bordering states. This created a huge problem. War clouds were looming on the horizon.

The torch we have here in MMA is the one that has moved in the southern direction. Its intention is to go to the homes of each of our war heroes and collect a bit of soil from their houses. All the soil collected in packets from the houses of our courageous war veterans will be mixed and used to fertilise the soil in the National War Museum in Delhi. We hope the air flowing through it will inspire millions of our youngsters… – Lt Gen A Arun YSM, SM, VSM, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area

On 3 December 1971, Pakistan Air Force launched air strikes on our western airfields. The Taj Mahal built with marbles had to be camouflaged and it had never happened in its history. It had to be done as marble glows in moonlight. The Indian Air Force flew over 6000 sorties. The Indian Navy operated both in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The fighting covered a distance of 1794 kms.
These days we talk of the difficulties of a two-front war. We had done it before in 1971 and we will do it again should the need arise. In the 13 days of the bloody war, we lost 3,843 people. 9,851 were injured badly and many others sustained minor injuries. On the enemy side, over 9,000 were killed and 25,000 were apparently injured.

These days we talk of the difficulties of a two-front war. We had done it before in 1971 and we will do it again should the need arise. In the 13 days of the bloody war, we lost 3,843 people. 9,851 were injured badly and many others sustained minor injuries. On the enemy side, over 9,000 were killed and 25,000 were apparently injured.

On 16 December 1971, there was a surrender of 93,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen with weapons, ammunition, rockets, aircrafts and ships. Rear Admiral Ramsagar and his team’s action alone was responsible for the capture of six large merchant shipping vessels. His action made that evacuation impossible. We liberated the entire area of modern Bangladesh. Within Pakistan, we had captured over 15,000 sq-kms. A year later, in an extremely gracious act and keeping in trend with our culture, we returned them. The Government awarded 4 Param Vir Chakras-–the highest war-time gallantry award, 36 Maha Vir Chakras–one of them to a resident of Chennai who could not join us due to his health condition and 354 Vir Chakras–two recipients of which are Rear Admiral Ramsagar and Colonel Krishnaswamy.
The Torch and the Sand
This year, we are celebrating 50 years of the victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. This is also the celebration of India’s efforts in creating a fledgling nation in Bangladesh. To mark 2021 as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ (golden victory year), on 16 December 2020, our Honourable Prime Minister lit four ‘victory flame’ torches from the eternal flame in the National War Museum in Delhi.
Each torch moved in a direction –North, South, East and West. The torch we have here in MMA is the one that has moved in the southern direction. Its intention is to go to the homes of each of our war heroes and collect a bit of soil from their houses. All the soil collected in packets from the houses of our courageous war veterans will be mixed and used to fertilise the soil in the National War Museum in Delhi. We hope the air flowing through it will inspire millions of our youngsters who will have to make our nation safe and proud tomorrow. In the interim, it is my proud mandate to carry this torch to prestigious institutions such as MMA.
The Two Decorated Veterans
They both joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) at the same time. They are course mates. Rear Admiral Ramsagar got three medals. He was commissioned in 1959. He took part in the 65 and 71 wars. He is a naval aviator. He took off from INS Vikrant. The most difficult form of flying is flying from a floating airstrip. He endangered himself by flying close to sea level and dropped depth charges. His entire team was awarded Vir Chakra during the war.
Colonel Krishnaswamy is also a triple awardee. He was a foot soldier like me, an infantry man. He was asked to go behind enemy lines into Bangladesh to set up roadblocks and ambush a convoy of Pakistani forces that was supposed to come on that route. It was an extraordinarily difficult job. One person volunteered to do that job and it was Colonel Krishnaswamy.
An entire contingent of Pakistani army personnel were engaged in the ambush. The fire fight continued till 3 in the afternoon. Colonel Krishnaswamy moved from trench to trench and exhorted his men to continue fighting. Consequently, at 4 o’clock in the evening, when the count was taken, a total of 7 officers and 118 other ranks of Pakistanis were dead. He had just about 80 men for the job. His son, grandson and nephew are all in the Indian Navy. That is Colonel Krishnaswamy, the proud son of Chennai.

Fireside Chat with the War Veterans

Lt Gen A Arun led a fireside chat with the two war veterans and took them down memory lane from their early days and ramping up the pitch steadily to their action days in the war.
What motivated them to join the defence forces?
Rear Admiral Ramsagar: My eldest brother-in-law was a Brigadier. The next one was a Lieutenant Colonel with 17 Madras Regiment. My brother was a Lieutenant Colonel with the artillery. So, I wanted to join the Navy as a pilot. I cleared the exams and became a pilot from the aircraft carrier. I was also a flying instructor. I joined IIT but left it and joined the NDA.
Colonel Krishnaswamy: I was born in Tirunelveli. My father served in Delhi in AIR and we moved to Delhi. I joined St Stephens College there. In the first year, I got through in NDA, Khadakwasla, when it was just set up. My college Principal discouraged me but I was adamant to join the army. We were the first batch in NDA.
If the clock were to be rewound, would they still join the armed forces?
Both Rear Admiral Ramsagar and Colonel Krishnaswamy replied an emphatic ‘Of course, Yes’ with a childlike enthusiasm and a spark in their eyes. Colonel Krishnaswamy added that his wife was ready to marry him if he were to be reborn and join the army.

The Action Sequence: Excerpts from Colonel Krishnaswamy’s narration

Before the war, we were spread all over. I was a Major in the army stationed in the eastern sector and we had to move to the Bhutan border. Because of the refugee problem in that area, we sensed that something was wrong.
Luckily, the northern border opened up. It was the shortest route from Shillong to Dhaka. Our brigade was asked to go in this axis. We crossed Brahmaputra river on boats very smoothly and without any hindrance, thanks to the backup cover provided by our Air Force.
‘Pannu Sahb’ and the Great Escape
After crossing the river, we started walking towards Tangail which is famous for sarees. In Tangail, we came across our paratroopers who had been dropped there to choke the Pakistanis. But we did not know about this operation and luckily, we could avert getting in their crossfire. I saw a couple of parachutes and realised it must be Indian forces. I knew Colonel Pannu, a paratrooper who was my instructor in my senior command course. I called out his name out of sheer confidence and intuition and it saved us the day.
On 12 December 1971, our further march was halted as the bridge over Durand had been blown up. Our brigade commander asked another battalion commander if he would be ready to proceed further with his battalion. While he expressed some reservations on the preparedness and risk involved in the operations, I volunteered.
Through River, Slush and Rice Fields
There were 80 of us. We walked 5 kms in the Durand river stealthily, using deception tactics, protecting our ammunition and carrying everything on our back for over three days. There was a Chinese ammunition factory in Gazipur. My job was to prevent enemy vehicles taking ammunition and moving out of the factory. We were to lay an ambush, delay them and engage with them. We marched through slush and rice fields. We spread our rain coats to walk on the roads, not to leave behind any foot marks. It was two at midnight and we were at our target place. We dug trenches and were ready with our machine guns. With the help of some locals, we put up some temporary obstructions and confused the enemy.

If I am alive today, it is largely because of the support given by Captain Heera who hails from Tamil Nadu. He later became Chairman of Aavin. Our ambush was highly successful. The Pakistanis surrendered at 3 pm.

Captain Heera and the Radio
An artillery unit led by Captain Heera joined us at 4 am. He was completely drenched and had lost his radio. He requested me to spare my radio. It was a risk I had to take but he promised me excellent fire support. I gave him my radio. Captain Heera did a wonderful job of attacking the large contingent of enemy troops that walked into our trap. If I am alive today, it is largely because of the support given by Captain Heera who hails from Tamil Nadu. He later became Chairman of Aavin. Our ambush was highly successful. The Pakistanis surrendered at 3 pm. 118 Pakistan soldiers died in the ambush. While the Pakistani officers were reluctant to bury their dead men honourably, we stepped in, dug trenches for them and buried them honourably. I cremated two of my dead comrades.

The Action Sequence: Excerpts from Rear Admiral Ramsagar’s narration

In 1971, I had given up my job as a senior pilot in the carrier and took command of fighter planes in Goa. At that time, INS Vikrant was in the dry docks and it was non-operational. Repair work was going on in the boiler of Vikrant. By May 71, one boiler was made ready.
Vikrant Moves and Eludes Pak
Admiral Krishnan was at that time C-in-C of Eastern Naval Command. He was a very brilliant officer hailing from Madurai, Tamil Nadu. He suggested to the Chief of Naval Staff to move Vikrant from Bombay to the south side. So they moved the carrier gently to Madras via Sri Lanka. Vikrant was Pakistan’s biggest target. Had Vikrant not sailed from Bombay, it would have been sunk by Pakistan’s French submarine.
Later on, it was moved to Vizag. As the Vizag port did not have the facility to house Vikrant, the carrier was stationed outside Vizag port. In the meanwhile, Pak sent its submarine to attack Vikrant in Madras. Not finding the carrier, it moved to Vizag. Not knowing that Vizag could not accommodate Vikrant, it planted many mines in the port of Vizag, one of which accidently exploded and destroyed the Pak submarine. Thus moving Vikrant had been a very clever and strategic move on our part.
By November, Vikrant was ready in all respects. Admiral Krishnan moved it to Andaman Islands to a well-protected place and we were waiting for clearance. Pakistan started the provocation and our commander gave us the orders. Vikrant sailed at high speed and the first attack on Dhaka was done using Hawks which operate in daylight. We stopped all vessels coming in that direction. At night, we bombed Chittagong airfield and the areas around.

When the Hawks started pounding them, all the six vessels raised white flags and surrendered. We diverted them to Diamond Harbour, Calcutta.

Six Large Vessels
On the fourth day of the war, during our operations, I spotted 6 merchant naval vessels lined up in an array. I knew they were kept there for evacuating Pak army men. Each could take 20,000 soldiers. I fired one rocket on each of them. A gun boat fired at me. I flew back to Vikrant by 8 pm as I had run out of my ammunition and reported about the fleet that was kept ready for evacuation purposes. I was asked to go again and bomb the fleet. We set off in two aircrafts at 2 am and each dropped three depth charges. As they were merchant vessels, they split the formation and sped away to the harbour. By morning, our Hawks returning from sorties were diverted to attack the vessels. When the Hawks started pounding them, all the six vessels raised white flags and surrendered. We diverted them to Diamond Harbour, Calcutta. That was the end of the escape plan for Pakistanis.
Gun Boat and Three Catamarans
I was also tasked to look for a nuclear carrier in the China Sea. So I took another sortie and flew at 21000 feet without any oxygen support. I detected none and happily reported it to HQ. On day 10 of the war, I did another sortie and spotted a gun boat towing three catamarans moving towards Dhaka, each capable of carrying 1000 loaded troops. I attacked them with depth charges, flying at a very low altitude. The gun boat attacked me with a sequence of eight bullets. One of them missed my thigh very narrowly but they pierced and damaged my aircraft. I lost my hydraulics but luckily my engine was running.
No to Net Landing
As I returned to attack the gun boat, I saw that one of the bombs had fallen on the boat. Scared by the sight of a large bomb sitting in front of them, they broke the formation and tried to beach the vessels. I managed to fly back to Vikrant which was 90 kms away using just a manual compass and landed at 9 pm, declining the offer of a net to prevent my over-run. A net would have saved me but damaged the aircraft completely. With all my experience in flying, I could do a perfect night landing, coordinating with the Vikrant team through VHF.

The Management Lessons

Lt Gen A Arun exhorted the audience to give a standing ovation to the two decorated war veterans whose narration of the action sequence in their own words gave goosebumps to all who were tuned in to their speeches. Lt Gen A Arun culled out management lessons from the veterans’ talks that corporate professionals can make use of.

• Leaders must have the ability to take risks and mitigate the consequences arising out of actions. If leaders cannot take calculated risks, they are neither leaders nor managers.
• We must realise the difference between how things are taught and how they are executed. We need to take the essence of learning and build on it with the effects of the environment.
• We must appreciate the significance of deception and stealth–be it in the boardroom or the battlefield.
• We must honour the veterans and the dead. Everybody in an organisation must be honoured for their contribution. It is the parts that make a whole.
• An organisation needs people who have a high degree of perseverance, tenacity and courage.
• Leaders must understand the need for foresight, planning, training and have the ability to look at contingencies and think through the clutter.
• We strive on the strength of our team. Team power comes from camaraderie.

We must do our jobs with passion.

Mementoes…

MMA presented a memento to Lt Gen A Arun. Mementoes were also presented to war veterans Col Ganesan VSM, Col Durai Ashok Nath, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Varghese, Flight Lieutenant S Somu and three veer naris- Thirumathi Kasthuri Sambandam, Thirumathi Grace Sebastian, wife of late Sebastian and Thirumathi Chinnakulthai wife of late Sepoy Thalapakatty.
On behalf of the Indian Army and Dakshin Bharat area, GOC Lt Gen A Arun handed over a crest to Mr Ravi Purushothaman, the President of MMA for MMA’s outstanding contribution. He also gave away a medal to Gp Captain R Vijayakumar (Retd) VSM, Executive Director of MMA in recognition of his outstanding contribution and dedication to duty.
Gp Captain R Vijayakumar proposed a vote of thanks. Gp Captain R Venkatraman (Retd), General Manager, MMA compered the proceedings. After the national anthem, the victory flame was escorted out of the hall by the flame officer. The event concluded with the army band playing to the tune of Sare Jahan Se Accha.