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Responses on the 1971 War Pages |
Our site www.subcontinent.com was literally deluged by visitors from all over the world on 26 & 27 June 1997. This was in response to the article on the 1971 war pages carried by a number of prominent Indian newspapers. We received hundreds of email messages. Some of these messages are listed. Our special thanks to everybody who wrote and offered help to keep the site open. Without them you would not be reading these messages or viewing the 1971 war pages.
The events depicted by your source are partially true. However, 1971 to Pakistan was what 1967-71 was to the US, a nightmare un-winable conflict. Just how could Pakistan defend herself if she was seperated by hostile territory? That is the reason why we decided very early to withdraw our bulk of the armed forces to to West Pakistan, with only a handful of
aircraft. With no ground support and no communication with the western wing, the results were on the wall. The only thing that Pakistanis critizise today is the fact that our generals chose to allow the slaughter of so many Pakistanis, believe me Bangladesh was never and will never be a part of mainstream Pakistani society! This above mentioned scene becomes even more chaotic if you factor in the Bangladesh factor. We not only faced India but faced East Pakistanis from within as well. This was a Vietnam for us.
However, if you you look back at 1965, you will notice that the conflict was more even handed infact slightly in Pakistan's favor looking at the fact that we had inferiority in numbers. Your sources were very quick to come up with the 1971 war site but, what happened to chronology? Where is the 1948 and 1965 war site, did not indian jawans make sacrifices in that war? I can tell you a very good reason for the absence of this site...you had
nothing to write about? In the end it is shameful that we still harbor these resentful feelings but some day that is bound to change. Till then, Jiya pakistan. Why you ask? Because it is our country and we will take the good with the bad.
I would like to read something on the 1965 War from the Indian perspective. If you have any material I would love to read it. I am a Pakistani American who does not differentiate between Indian and Pakistani people. We all have the same roots.
Your 1971 Indo-Pak War website is indeed extraordinary! I am a Kashmiri with a personal interest in seeing that the people of India truly appreciate and defend their country - including Kashmir. As you stated on your website, the real success story is that 'India's destiny will no longer be shaped by politicians and bureaucrats but by ordinary people.' For over 25 years the gov't of India had the opportunity to capitalize on this war and never did. I was only 2 years old during the war but have 3 uncles who fought for India. I am extremely proud of them and all of those who have served and currently serve in India's Armed Forces. Your website will open the doors for all future generations to truly appreciate India's military history. Most importantly, this website is just the BEGINNING in how ordinary people can and will shape India's destiny.
As a person whose early childhood memories are filled with the war (I was 4 years old and living in Delhi) and as a person who believes in creation and consolidation of national pride amongst all Indians, the (temporary) closure of the site was been a big let down. I hope the servers realise that they are sitting on an advertising goldmine and continue to host this invaluable website on a free of charge basis while obtaining revenue from hordes of prospective piggy back advertisers...Such websites shall prove to be of more service to the nation than the money spent on loud mouthed politicians in some farcical public gathering. I definitely do value our war heroes, to whom this site has been a tribute, in a far higher esteem than any other Indian living or dead. Thank you,
K.B.Menon
"I just went through the 1971 war details from the Indian perspective. It's a great effort and I find it to be a great tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to keep the values of a great nation alive.
I just wish more people and children in our country have access to such information so that they can learn from this great piece of our country's history.
Thanks for keeping the memories alive and we the Indian community in United States would like to laud your efforts."
"This is the best article I have ever read about the history of India after Independence. The article is really hair raising and moving. I didn't know before that Bangladesh also had Indians before their Liberation. The first time I read the article it moved me to tears and felt ashamed that I can't do anything for my country. I was really disappointed when I read that this site on the web had been shut down. So many people would have missed the chance to visualise the 1971 Indo-Pak war. I think this is the best tribute in the 50th year of Independence to all the brave soldiers who laid down their lives for heir country at the time when it was needed most. I salute all those martyrs and their families who had brought up such sons."
From: Atul Garg "One of the most elegant site and nostalgic site ever surfed. Brought back the memories of the sacrifices Indian soldiers made to save the lives of their countrymen and their neighbouring countrymen."
udays@ad1.vsnl.net.in
Baroda
From: Devesh R. Agarwal "I am very impressed by your site and the account of the 1971 war. Please keep up the good work and to heck with the nay-sayers. Please let me know when you add more to the 1971 account.
devesh@pobox.com
Singapore
Regards."
From: Abhay Solapurkar "Hi,
asolapur@cisco.com
USA.
I think this should be published in all the news papers so that people realize how our great jawans have fought against pakistanis and sustained the culture and safeguarded the country. Had we destroyed the whole pakistan today we would have never bothered about any kashmir issue. Pakistan can and will never realize that kashmir is integral part of India and we shall never give it to them had we to fight another war with them...
Great!! Great !! I do not know how as a Indian I feel proud about these jawans and the mothers who had such brave sons dedicated to save nation from any calamity...Thanks for having such a home page on the WEB...
My best Regards to whoever has done this ."
From: A.L.N. Reddy "The 1971 war piece is simply wonderful, and we really appreciate the effort by Mr.Banerjie. On the same note, this effort should be extended into an independent National Security Institute to serve as a fountain head on policy matters. Considering the intellectual capacity of the imbeciles that hold power in our country, this would be a great gift on the 50th I'day.
areddy@netscape.com
We could have decimated Pakistan's military power completely and controlled all their military establishment, as they are doing now, with Iraq, to ensure the peace and safety of, both Pakistani, and Indian citizens from the adventures of Pakistani military Junta.
Jai Hind."
From: Prasad b.g,s "When i went through a report in TOI I was amazed to see the amount of publicity it has got, but when browsed through the site, my eye got wet. When war took place, i was 4 yrs old kid, I had faint memory about the war, but after going through the site, I felt as if I was watching the war. This definitely a tribute to 50 yrs of indian independence.
prasadbg@cheerful.com
Bangalore
Please accept my wishes and thanks, to all of them who are behind in developing this site."
From: Bharat Patel "This was a really excellent page. Up to now it was virtually impossible to get an accurate picture about the events leading up to the war and the battle itself. All Indians should be proud of the heroic actions of the Indian arm forces. If the Pakistanis don't like it that's there problem. What are they going to do about it anyway. Start a war? I am going to tell all my friends about this page so they too can appreciate and be grateful to all those who fought and died for the country.
bpatel@fresfields.com
United Kingdom
Jai Hind "
From: Chitra Rajan "This was the first time I got the complete information about the 1971 war. As an Indian I really felt proud to read the heroic efforts of our army. Is it possible to give similar details about 1965 war, also I would like to know why India agreed to cease fire and lost POK. What was the role of UN in our loosing POK. Why China has an aggressive stand towards us."
chitrar@mindware.soft.net
Bangalore
From: imran " I am proud that you have bought out such a great site. It is a pity that there is no such indian military site on the internet which could do india proud. Great job, keep it up.
imran@indiamail.com
India.
Special mention to the India-Pak 1971 war team.
warm regards. Jai Hind. Imran. "
From: Jayesh R Vora. " Dear sir,
rcpliii@bom3.vsnl.net.in
Bombay
I heartily congratulate you on making this beautiful site, which has made me more proud to be a great Indian. "
From: Jatin Bhavsar "Dear Sir, while mentioning the tank battle, it is incomplete, without mentioning the valour and dare to fight until the death for motherland by subedar Abdul Hamid, who destroyed quite a few Pakistani tanks, with only a medium size gun mounted on a jeep. These kind of exceptional will to fight until the last drop of blood defying all established rules of wars brought victory to the motherland India. Because of these known and unknown martyrs, we are able to celebrate 50 the year of independence. "
gsmmjb2084@mtvms2.mtech.edu
USA
"Kuch baat hey hamme key hasti mitati nahi hamari"
From: Krishna Kumar Vavilala "As someone born in 1974, I could relive the experience of 1971 war. Thank you very much for putting this on the web. I only hope this is the beginning.
vavilala@miel.mot.com
India.
With warm regards, "
From: KRISHNA PRASAD "Just loved it.........feels great to be an Indian.
kp@aditi.com
East or West, India is the best !
Continue the good work sir(s).
regards"
From: Pria Watsa nee Kuruvila "My late father, Vice-Admiral E.C. Kuruvila, AVSM PVSM, was Fleet Commander, Western Fleet in 1971. It was under his command that, for the first time in naval history, Missile boats ( Killers) were towed to enemy territory, and used as offence weapons. This unique strategy was clearly attributed to his military genius, and, by the destruction of Karachi Harbour, played a vital role in giving us supremacy over the seas. You may confirm this through most any reference. It is a pity that yesterdays heroes are forgotten, at a time when honours are being bestowed. "
pwatsa@hotmail.com
Mumbai
From: Manoj Kumar Thakur "Dear Friends, You have done an excellent job by putting all the 1971 war into web. After reading I became extremely sentimental and patriotic feeling started coming out.Definitely this would help we Indians who have born after that and the world to know all the facts of the war.
mkthakur@hotmail.com
NAGANO CITY, Japan
Good job, Thanks.
With Regards and Love"
From: S Ramachandran "Hello, I went through the 1971 war information. It was very good and glad that someone thought about hosting such a web page. I would welcome similar pages on 1948 and 1965 Indo - Pak war.
suramach@usa.net
San Jose, USA
thanks"
From: Swarna P.Rao I would like to thank K media p Ltd. for your excellent web story on India Pakistan war. Though I was born on march 1972 (4 months after the war) , it was very much interesting to read all these stories. I would like to thank to all the people that were involved in this project. Till now i have not had any opportunity to read or know the situation that lead to the war. But this web content is excellent. I also thank all the defence people who worked hard and risked their lives in the war. I would like send a detailed message to all the individuals of this war, but being a software engineer I am busy implementing a project at the client place. I am sure I will send a detailed message to at least to the key people. I also thank the Dept. of Defence Govt. Of INDIA for their valuable archives. Once again I thank you very much the web development team of K media private ltd.
swarna_rao@syntelinc.com
Michigan, USA
Suhas Dutta
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/8553
Hey people (including Indranil), Great stuff you guys have managed to put up there and loved every bit of the 1971 war site. It's very well and done and does evoke emotions. Kudos to you guys though I do feel that the Indian Government should have had a site up much before this and at least they should have contributed to the site. But we all know what our govt is like. Keep on with it people, eagerly waiting to see the rest of the episodes. I am a webber myself and would luv to help you in anyway I can.
Sukumar Madugula
email: smadugula@aol.com/smadugula@sumaria.com
Dayton, Ohio, USA
This is one of the best accounts of the Indo-Pak war I ever saw. You certainly deserve the credit and its accolades. Our government should support you in whatever way they can. Thanks for the wonderful piece of work and bringing the events their rightful glory. Thanks for making it available. Reading some of the stories like Battle of Longewal, set me thinking a lot of the futility of war. And to think I had been a big fan of war stories both World War II and 1971. While we have a great deal of fighting spirit in our brave soldiers ready to give up their lives for their country, it is often the generals who end up deciding their fates. If only a sound lesson was taught at least the third time, Pakistan would probably never have had a belligerent posture again. It is high time we have more than just one No.1 Corps for strike capability or designate more strength to this rather than just for holding forces.
Anand Kumar
azkuma@monsanto.com
Montana, USA
I think its befitting that these veterans are honored by portraying their brave struggle to vindicate and uphold righteousness. I would also look at inviting these vets and providing them a moment of glory by issuing them special passes for the independence day parade. Good job, keep it up !!