e-News® | The PRESS…DHAKA, June 8, 2015 : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today recalled the role of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the liberation war of Bangladesh saying his role was crucial to mobilize support on Indian politicians in favour of Bangladesh’s War of Liberation. The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function at Bangabhaban today on the occasion of conferring the Bangladesh Award of Liberation War Honour on former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
On behalf of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, visiting Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi received the Award. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a leading politician of India, was given the award for his outstanding contribution to the Independence of Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina said Atal Bihari Vajpayee is a true friend of Bangladesh. “I, Sheikh Hasina, feel honoured by conferring the Bangladesh Award of Liberation War Honour upon him,” she said. She added: “It’s also a great pleasure to hand over the award to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a real successor of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.”
Sheikh Hasina said people of Bangladesh got India beside them in their fight against Pakistani occupation force in 1971 under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. “India gave shelter to Bangladeshi refugees at that time,” she added. As a politician, Sheikh Hasina said, unequivocal support of Sree Vajpayee crucially helped bringing the Indian politicians to lend their support to Bangladesh’s liberation. President Abdul Hamid also spoke on the occasion while Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan read out the citation highlighting the role of Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the Bangladesh’s Independence.
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh always received sympathy and cooperation from Sree Vajpayee when he was in charge of the external affairs ministry and prime minister of India. Sheikh Hasina said, “We would be happy if Sree Vajpayee was amongst us on this auspicious occasion. But due to his ill health he could not come up to receive the Award.” Lastly, Sheikh Hasina praised a speech of Sree Vajpayee, a well-known poet, where he said he is never worried of any success or failure of any of his work. In the way performing duties he is ready to accept any outcome as success and failure, both are true. Sheikh Hasina wished long life of Vajpayee and his good health.
