On Tuesday, 26 September 2023, the Forum for Senior Citizens GK-2 conducted the Independence Day Special program in its fortnightly Talk session called TKT. The program was deferred as the Forum activities were suspended for over a month due to non-operation of the lift in the Forum building.
The 1971 Indo Pak war truly tested the might of a nascent India to deftly handle a trying situation braving significant odds, to pull off a strategic victory that reshaped the destiny of our sub- continent. The organizers of the program, Dr Veena Kapoor and Manoj Kumar selected this topic for discussion.
The session was divided into three phases – Pre- During- Post war events. Manoj ji gave us detailed information about the events that led to this historic victory. Many posters were put up by him to make the deliberations interesting, interactive and participative. The discussion provided us with an insight into many lesser known facts hitherto. The session was very well participated. Finally a Quiz on this subject was organized for the audience at the end of the session which covered a vast array of topics relating to the causes of the war, the countries that stood with or against us, the formation of the liberation army, the use of different defense strategies, the message of Gen Maneckshaw to Pakistan as the final warning, the signing of Instrument of Ceasefire by Gen Aurora on behalf of lndia and finally the Simla summit.
The session was so informative and engrossing that all of us felt it should have carried on had it not been for time constraint.
I feel the TKT sessions give us a very high mental stimulus with all participants giving their inputs as one among equals. I surf the internet, prepare synopsis of what l have read and l finally enter the hall with so much zest to learn more about the topic of discussion, I am thankful to the organizers for giving us a platform for such intellectually stimulating discussions while appreciating the efforts that we put into making the session interesting and enjoyable.
