NEW DELHI: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday honoured seven martyrs of Indian Army whose “blood has been mixed in Bangladesh soil’ and denounced the atrocities committed on Bangladesh people.
The Award given by Sheikh Hasina, daughter of ‘Bangbandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rehman – first Prime Minister of Bangladesh who spearheaded Mukti Bahini towards liberation of the country – has symbolic meaning in the history of South Asia.
“History of Bangladesh has been written by the blood of the Indian martyrs along with valiant freedom fighters of Bangladesh. They fought together for the independence of Bangladesh. The story of their sacrifice will be remembered from generation to generation in our countries,” Prime Minister Hasina said in her statement.
Her government had taken up the project to honour sacrifices of 1971 war in 2009. In July 2011 the Bangladesh government conferred the Bangladesh Freedom Award, the highest civilian award for a foreign national, on former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Later Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and President Pranab Mukherjee were also given the award.
While thanking Prime Minister Hasina for the honour, Prime Minister Modi announced additional 10,000 scholarships for children of Mukti Jodhas (Freedom Fighters), multiple entry visas for Mukti Jodhas for next 5 years and free medical treatment for 100 Mukti Jodhas under special medical scheme.
The programme was manifestation of the coming close of the two countries and without naming Pakistan, the two countries alluded to the atrocities committed by the forces against the people of Bangladesh.
“India showed humanity to 90,000 soldiers held prisoners of war during the war,” PM Modi added.
Prime Minister Modi also heaped praises on Prime Minister Hasina for overcoming personal tragedy of her father’s assassination and work towards the progress of Bangladesh.