DHAKA: Bangladesh is set to honor 61 “foreign friends”, including a retired Indian Colonel who rescued
and some other members of her family from captivity of Pakistani troops in 1971, for their outstanding contribution to its Liberation War.
“Sixty one more foreigners are expected to receive the honor this time” on October 20, Additional Foreign Secretary Mostafa Kamal told PTI.
They will be conferred with “Muktijuddho Maitry Sanmanana” at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, he said.
Kamal said several of them are veterans of the 1971 Liberation War like Indian Colonel (Retd) Ashok Tara while the rest extended their wholehearted support to Bangladesh’s cause as politicians, journalists, artistes, diplomats or civil society figures of different countries.
70-year-old Tara is a well-known veteran who took part in and survived several deadly battles with Pakistani troops. The retired Indian Colonel, who was a Major at that time, however, is more known for his role in rescuing Hasina, her mother Begum Fajilatunnesa Mujib, sister Sheikh Rehana and brother Sheikh Rasel from captivity of Pakistani troops at a house at the fag end of the 1971 Liberation War.
The list of 61 recipients who confirmed their arrival was not disclosed but officials familiar with the process said most of them were from India. In most cases their relatives or representatives would receive the honor as many of the foreign friends could not come because of old age and several of them had already passed away.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would ceremonially hand them over the awards at the third such ceremony. The government had earlier decided to gradually honor the foreign friends across the world in phases.
Late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the first “foreign friend” to be conferred with the honor. Her daughter-in-law and Congress President Sonia Gandhi received the honor on her behalf last year. “This is a unique initiative in the independence war histories … it will glorify our independence,” state minister for Liberation War affairs captain (Retd) Tajul Islam recently told PTI.
Officials familiar with the process said 150 names were selected for the honor this week and 61 eventually confirmed their presence.
Kamal said the government planned to stage the next phase of the awarding ceremony in December coinciding with the country’s 41st Victory Day anniversary.
He said Swedish TV journalist Sven Stromberg would be offered to deliver the “acceptance speech” on behalf of the recipients. Stromberg had extensively covered the Liberation War for his TV network.
Bangladesh government has prepared a list of 500 plus foreign friends, including 40 Pakistanis who defied the then Pakistani regime in supporting Bangladesh’s cause. They would be gradually conferred with the honor.
-PTI
Thank You For Your Vote!
Sorry You have Already Voted!
