Former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was conferred upon the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour award yesterday in recognition of his active role in support of Bangladesh Liberation War when he was a Lok Sabha member.
Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the award on behalf of Vajpayee from President Abdul Hamid at a ceremony held at Bangabhaban; Vajpayee could not visit Bangladesh to receive it as he is unwell.
Addressing the function, Modi said: “The entire life of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was for the country and general people. Today Bangladesh is honouring Vajpayee, a great leader, for his contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War.”
Modi expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for conferring the honour on Vajpayee, saying: “During the Liberation War when freedom fighters were shedding blood, Indian citizens were also fighting side by side with them. Thus, they helped realise the dream of Bangladesh. Even though he [Vajpayee] was in opposition, he was able to give India direction in this regard.”
Modi said he was delighted as Vajpayee was being honoured by the president of Bangladesh, an illustrious freedom fighter and in the presence of Bangabandhu’s daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Quoting a paragraph of Vajpayee’s speech delivered in Indian parliament on December 6, 1971, Modi said: “We have taken steps in the right direction. The process of changing history is unfolding before our eyes. The friendship between India and Bangladesh is like a bond which will not break under any pressure, and will never be the victim of any diplomacy.”
Modi said although he had entered politics quite late, he had been one of the many youth activists who had come to Delhi in response to Shri Vajpayee’s call for Satyagraha for the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
In his speech, President Abdul Hamid said: “We all know what Shri Vajpayee did for Bangladesh when we were fighting our Liberation War at the call of our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“Despite being in the opposition, he had the political pragmatism to lend his strong support to the government of Indira Gandhi for the cause of Bangladesh. Awarding Shri Vajpayee with the Liberation War Honour is just a humble expression of our gratitude and appreciation.”
Hamid further said: “On this solemn occasion, with great pleasure, I would like to announce that we have decided to honour each Indian soldier who had made supreme sacrifice in our Liberation War in 1971. This is a humble and token expression of our gratefulness.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: “In 1971 when the entire Bangladesh, under the leadership of Bangabandhu, waged the War of Liberation against the occupation forces, we were fortunate to have India beside us. The whole of Indian nation stood by their brothers and sisters across the border.”
She went on saying: “As a politician, Shri Vajpayee’s unstinting support of Bangladesh played an important role in mobilising support for our cause in the Indian political arena. The programmes and activities he had undertaken at that time were instrumental in this regard.
“His love for Bangladesh continued which was demonstrated during his tenure as the external affairs minister and later as the prime minister of India.”
Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan read out the citation conferred on Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice SK Sinha, Opposition Leader Raushan Ershad, cabinet members, Indian prime minister’s entourage were present, among others, at the programme held at the Darbar Hall of the Presidential palace.
