BANGLADESH NEWS
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the forces defeated in the
Liberation War were out to mar the process of war crimes trial with
militancy and sparking off people’s religious sentiment.
The people of Bangladesh never accepted such design in the past and would not allow it in the future, as they are religious but not bigots, she said while speaking at a programme to honour friends of liberation of Bangladesh at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital yesterday.
“The spirit of the Liberation War always keeps them alert; they are committed to building a prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy,” she added.
The government awarded 69 foreign friends with “Bangladesh Liberation War Honour” and “Friends of Liberation War Honour” for their outstanding contribution to the independence effort in 1971.
Hasina said, “Like your support in 1971, I am sure that we will get your support in building a non-communal poverty-free Bangladesh.”
Highlighting the progress made by Bangladesh, Hasina said, “Bangladesh is now a role model in terms of social and human resource development and considered as one of the star performers in alleviating poverty.”
The Awami League chief said Bangladesh stands 5th in terms of achieving long-term growth braving the global recession.
She expressed deep gratitude for the foreign friends’ invaluable contribution to the country’s Liberation War.
Some of the foreign friends presented Hasina books, some wrote letters to her, and some handed her letters from their near and dear ones who could not be at the programme yesterday.
The people of Bangladesh never accepted such design in the past and would not allow it in the future, as they are religious but not bigots, she said while speaking at a programme to honour friends of liberation of Bangladesh at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital yesterday.
“The spirit of the Liberation War always keeps them alert; they are committed to building a prosperous and non-communal Bangladesh free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy,” she added.
The government awarded 69 foreign friends with “Bangladesh Liberation War Honour” and “Friends of Liberation War Honour” for their outstanding contribution to the independence effort in 1971.
Hasina said, “Like your support in 1971, I am sure that we will get your support in building a non-communal poverty-free Bangladesh.”
Highlighting the progress made by Bangladesh, Hasina said, “Bangladesh is now a role model in terms of social and human resource development and considered as one of the star performers in alleviating poverty.”
The Awami League chief said Bangladesh stands 5th in terms of achieving long-term growth braving the global recession.
She expressed deep gratitude for the foreign friends’ invaluable contribution to the country’s Liberation War.
Some of the foreign friends presented Hasina books, some wrote letters to her, and some handed her letters from their near and dear ones who could not be at the programme yesterday.
The prime minister received them, opened the letters and books, and went through some.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs AB Tajul Islam also spoke at the programme while Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan read out citations of the award recipients.
A one-minute silence was also observed in memory of late president Zillur Rahman. Hasina dedicated yesterday’s programme to the president.
Yesterday’s awardees included 43 friends from India, 13 from Pakistan, four from the USA, three from Nepal, two from Japan, and one each from the UK, Australia, Cuba and Sweden.
Prof Tomio Mizokami of Japan, who spoke on behalf of the award recipients, expressed gratitude towards the government of Bangladesh for recalling their contribution 42 years ago.
“I am so happy today. I did not think I’ll ever be honoured,” he said, adding that he would tell the people of Japan about this when he returns home.
Mizokami hoped that the friendly relations between Japan and Bangladesh would be strengthened further.
Bangladesh Liberation War Honour was given to Fidel Castro, former president of Cuba, and Lord Harold Wilson, former British prime minister.
Cuban ambassador to Dhaka Abelardo Cueto Sosa and Wilson’s son Prof Robin Wilson received the honour on their behalf.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs AB Tajul Islam also spoke at the programme while Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan read out citations of the award recipients.
A one-minute silence was also observed in memory of late president Zillur Rahman. Hasina dedicated yesterday’s programme to the president.
Yesterday’s awardees included 43 friends from India, 13 from Pakistan, four from the USA, three from Nepal, two from Japan, and one each from the UK, Australia, Cuba and Sweden.
Prof Tomio Mizokami of Japan, who spoke on behalf of the award recipients, expressed gratitude towards the government of Bangladesh for recalling their contribution 42 years ago.
“I am so happy today. I did not think I’ll ever be honoured,” he said, adding that he would tell the people of Japan about this when he returns home.
Mizokami hoped that the friendly relations between Japan and Bangladesh would be strengthened further.
Bangladesh Liberation War Honour was given to Fidel Castro, former president of Cuba, and Lord Harold Wilson, former British prime minister.
Cuban ambassador to Dhaka Abelardo Cueto Sosa and Wilson’s son Prof Robin Wilson received the honour on their behalf.
No comments:
Post a Comment