BanglaBhoot
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Dhaka, June 17: A citation saluting Indira Gandhi for her pivotal contribution in Bangladeshs freedom struggle awaits daughter-in-law Sonia when she visits Dhaka on July 25.
Sonia Gandhis acceptance of the citation will complete a cycle of sorts. Last year in January, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangladeshs first Prime Minister Mujibur Rahman, was the recipient of the Indira Gandhi Peace Award by President Pratibha Patil. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were present at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
An emotional Hasina had said that she was overwhelmed that India, a country she looks up to, had bestowed the honour on her. The unflinching support of Mrs Gandhi (Indira Gandhi) for the struggle for the freedom of Bangladesh, the release of their interned leader, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the unprecedented welcome extended to him on his arrival in New Delhi on way back to Dhaka (in 1971) will always remain deeply etched in the minds of our people . Indira Gandhi is not only my ideal but also like my mother, Hasina had said at the ceremony.
Sonia had been equally effusive her praise for Hasina. Indira Gandhi derived so much inspiration from her father. You too followed (in) your fathers footsteps. You have been a fighter from the student days... and have experienced blood and tears, suffered and lost almost your entire family (while) you lived in exile, Sonia told Hasina, when the Bangla Prime Minister said she wasnt sure whether she was worthy of the award.
This year, Bangladesh is celebrating 40 years of its Victory Day December 16, 1971 the day the Pakistani Army surrendered to an Indo-Bangladesh force after a nine-month battle. Dhaka will honour all foreigners who contributed to the freedom struggle by giving them citations during their visits to the country or during the Prime Ministers visit to their home countries. The citations for those who have died will be given to the next of kin. The process is expected to be complete by December 16 this year.
Sonia is expected to arrive in Dhaka on July 25. The ceremony to hand over the citation is expected to take place on July 26.
Bangladesh foreign minister Dipu Moni confirmed at a news conference that Hasina had personally invited Sonia to attend a four-day conference on physically challenged and autistic children that begins on July 23 in Dhaka.
As reported by The Telegraph earlier, Indira Gandhi is one of the 500 foreign nationals Dhaka will honour during the celebrations.
Sonias visit will come at an important juncture in ties between the two nations.
Although the schedule is yet to be fixed, Sonia is expected to meet Dipu Moni and it could lead to progress towards resolving some bilateral issues.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expected to visit the country later this year.
Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao visited Dhaka at the beginning of this month against the backdrop of Bangladesh and India reaching a framework agreement on sharing the Teesta waters.
Salman Khurshid, the Indian water resources minister, is also supposed to be in Dhaka for talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Ramesh Chandra Sen soon.
External affairs minister S.M. Krishnas visit is expected to follow Khurshids.
Bangla salute to Indira when Sonia visits
Sonia Gandhis acceptance of the citation will complete a cycle of sorts. Last year in January, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangladeshs first Prime Minister Mujibur Rahman, was the recipient of the Indira Gandhi Peace Award by President Pratibha Patil. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were present at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
An emotional Hasina had said that she was overwhelmed that India, a country she looks up to, had bestowed the honour on her. The unflinching support of Mrs Gandhi (Indira Gandhi) for the struggle for the freedom of Bangladesh, the release of their interned leader, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the unprecedented welcome extended to him on his arrival in New Delhi on way back to Dhaka (in 1971) will always remain deeply etched in the minds of our people . Indira Gandhi is not only my ideal but also like my mother, Hasina had said at the ceremony.
Sonia had been equally effusive her praise for Hasina. Indira Gandhi derived so much inspiration from her father. You too followed (in) your fathers footsteps. You have been a fighter from the student days... and have experienced blood and tears, suffered and lost almost your entire family (while) you lived in exile, Sonia told Hasina, when the Bangla Prime Minister said she wasnt sure whether she was worthy of the award.
This year, Bangladesh is celebrating 40 years of its Victory Day December 16, 1971 the day the Pakistani Army surrendered to an Indo-Bangladesh force after a nine-month battle. Dhaka will honour all foreigners who contributed to the freedom struggle by giving them citations during their visits to the country or during the Prime Ministers visit to their home countries. The citations for those who have died will be given to the next of kin. The process is expected to be complete by December 16 this year.
Sonia is expected to arrive in Dhaka on July 25. The ceremony to hand over the citation is expected to take place on July 26.
Bangladesh foreign minister Dipu Moni confirmed at a news conference that Hasina had personally invited Sonia to attend a four-day conference on physically challenged and autistic children that begins on July 23 in Dhaka.
As reported by The Telegraph earlier, Indira Gandhi is one of the 500 foreign nationals Dhaka will honour during the celebrations.
Sonias visit will come at an important juncture in ties between the two nations.
Although the schedule is yet to be fixed, Sonia is expected to meet Dipu Moni and it could lead to progress towards resolving some bilateral issues.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expected to visit the country later this year.
Foreign secretary Nirupama Rao visited Dhaka at the beginning of this month against the backdrop of Bangladesh and India reaching a framework agreement on sharing the Teesta waters.
Salman Khurshid, the Indian water resources minister, is also supposed to be in Dhaka for talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Ramesh Chandra Sen soon.
External affairs minister S.M. Krishnas visit is expected to follow Khurshids.
Bangla salute to Indira when Sonia visits
