‘Mesmerised’. This is what Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after attending a football match organised as part of the year-long Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations. 

“Swarnim Maitri Football Match” was played between Brahmaputra Braves and Northeast Tigers, combined teams of Indian Army, Assam Rifles and players from famous football clubs like Shillong Lajong FC, Aizawl FC and Gokulam Kerala FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletics Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday evening. 

“The exhibition football match was played with lot of zeal and enthusiasm which resulted in nail biting finish in which Northeast Tigers won the match by a final score of 3-1,” an official statement said. 

Swarnim Vijay Varsh is being celebrated to commemorate 50 years of India’s magnificent victory over Pakistan in 1971. 

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“Delighted to have joined the celebrations of ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ in Guwahati, being observed to mark 50th anniversary of India’s victory over Pakistan in 1971 War & Liberation of Bangladesh. Also watched ‘Swarnim Maitri Football Match’,” said Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

Before the football match began, a host of other activities enthralled the audience. 

The other activities included an impressive fly past by Dhruv and Cheetah helicopters of the Indian Air Force and Army Aviation followed by an adventurous demonstration of slithering and skydiving by Army paratroopers.  

“Army troops also performed Khukhri Dance and Martial Arts of Northeast. Other highlights of the event were display of Continuity Rifle Drill by IAF and combined Army and Air Force Bands who played iconic military tunes,” an official statement said. 

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Mesmerized by the spectacular fly past, paragliding, air show, rifle skills displayed by personnel of @adgpi & @IAF_MCC. It was breath-taking to watch traditional fighting skills of #NorthEast Warriors. Enjoyed exhibition match played b/w North East Tigers & Brahmaputra Braves,” tweeted Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. 

The Assam CM added: “I recall with pride the valour of our brave soldiers and pay my respectful tribute to those who lost their lives in the 1971 War.” 

CM Sarma also felicitated the Indian players who won medals at the Tokyo Paralympic Games held recently.  

Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma felicitated Olympian Tarundeep Rai and Paralympic shotput player Sonam Rana. 

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He also complimented the Indian Armed Forces for bringing peace and prosperity to the state. 

Besides Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Lieutenant General Manoj Pande, GOC-in-C of Eastern Command, Deepa Malik, President Paralympic Committee of India and Assam chief secretary Jishnu Baruah also attended the event.