Fifty-three years ago, India’s three armed forces achieved something no military had done in living memory — liberate a nation in thirteen days. Author Satyajit Lall launches his book on the 1971 war with a distinguished panel of veterans, reconstructing the strategic brilliance, logistical mastery, and personal courage behind Operation Liberation.

The session opens with lesser-known details: Operation X, in which the Indian Navy trained the marine wing of the Mukti Bahini at Plassey, launching covert sabotage operations deep inside East Pakistan from 15 August onward. General Sharma, who served as Colonel GS of the 1st Armoured Division, explains that battles are won not by fighters alone but by those who bring ammunition, spare parts, and replacement personnel to the field — a lesson in logistics that shaped the campaign.

The panel situates the book’s relevance against contemporary events in Bangladesh, where the tide is flowing in a different direction from 1971’s liberation. The session’s closing message to the Gen Z audience: time moves in one direction, but events ebb and flow — which is precisely why remembering history’s turning points is a duty, not nostalgia.

About the Speakers:

Satyajit Lall –Author and researcher in war studies and global affairs. Youngest civilian member of USI. BA in Economics, University of Delhi.
Dr. Bhuvan Lall –Filmmaker, entrepreneur, speaker, and author.
Gen. V. N. Sharma (Retd.) –PVSM, AVSM, ADC; Former Chief of Army Staff.
Anil Baijal-IAS; Former Lt. Governor of Delhi.
Air Marshal Anil Chopra (Retd.) –PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM; Former DG, CAPS.
Cmdr. Srikant Kesnur (Retd.) –VSM; Author and naval historian.
Air Vice Marshal Anil Goani (Retd.) –Additional DG, Centre for Air Power Studies.
Maj Gen (Dr) Pawan Anand (Retd.)-AVSM; Head, Atmanirbhar Bharat, USI.