Jagjit Singh Aurora

Jagjit Singh Aurora, the general who fashioned India's 1971 war victory that led to the birth of Bangladesh, who oversaw the surrender of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers.

Aurora, who as lieutenant general headed the Indian Army's Kolkata-based Eastern Command in the 1971 war.

"Not only is he a national hero but he carried this distinction very lightly on his shoulders. There couldn't have been amore humble, more gentle general officer," said Lt. Gen. (retired) V.R. Raghavan.

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh said: "His army life and achievements are well known. He is the real hero of the 1971 war."

Singh recalled he had worked along with Aurora after the anti-Sikh riots that followed former prime minister Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984 and during the insurgency in the Punjab.

"We travelled together to pacify the people and tried to create communal harmony. He was a very compassionate man."

Aurora, who was decorated with the Padma Bhushan and Param Vishisht Seva Medal, received the surrender document from Lt. Gen. A.A.K. Niazi after 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered to the Indian Army in Dacca, as the capital of the then East Pakistan was known, Dec 16, 1971.

Aurora retired from the army in 1973. He was later a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament, where he represented the Akali Dal.

He passed away on May 3rd 2005 at the age of 89.