Prez Mukherjee receives Bangladesh's second highest award

Dhaka, March 4: Bangladesh conferred its second highest award on President Pranab Mukherjee for his valuable contribution to the country's liberation war in 1971.

"Your support towards our War of Liberation in 1971 was for the cause of humanity and justice. Your support gave us courage and motivation," Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman said after handing over a crest of 'Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sanmanona' (Liberation War award) to President Mukherjee at a ceremony at the Darbar Hall in the Presidential Palace (Bangabhaban) on Monday evening.

President Mukherjee, 77, received the crest amid a standing ovation of more than 200 local and foreign dignitaries including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"I feel humble as I receive this prestigious award and I feel that my contribution was modest.

"As I stand here tonight, I am filled with memories of the events of 1971. I was 36-years-old and an MP when the people of Bangladesh engaged themselves in their liberation struggle," President Mukherjee said.

He recalled that on 15th June, 1971 he had the privilege to initiate a discussion at Rajya Sabha when he suggested that India should accord recognition to Bangladesh exile government.

President Mukherjee said India has an abiding interest in the all-around development of Bangladesh.

However, the full potential of our cooperation is yet to be tapped, he said.

"Our endeavour will be to see how our bilateral cooperation can bring sustained benefits to our people and improve the quality of their lives. This will be the litmus test of the success of our relationship," he said.

Hasina described President Mukherjee as "a real friend" of Bangladesh who "braving all obstacles from different quarters stood beside us when the war was waged at the call of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and played a big role in mobilising support of the international community for our independence."

The Bangladesh President said Mukherjee's support for the country's War of Liberation is written "with the golden ink in the country's national history and the nation always recalls the contribution with due gratitude".

"Today's recognition is not for your role in our War of Liberation, rather, it's a symbol of modest gratitude to you on behalf of the entire nation," he said.

President Mukherjee said it was India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru who had stated that "where freedom is menaced or justice threatened or where aggression takes place, we cannot be and shall not be neutral".

Driving home the importance India attaches to Bangladesh, President Mukherjee said much like the liberation war in 1971, India today stands beside the people of Bangladesh.

"We will walk with you as equal partners, should to shoulder, arm in arm. It is no wonder that India and her people share a special connection with Bangladesh," he added.