Former Indian premier Indira Gandhi was yesterday conferred the "Bangladesh Freedom Honour" for her unparalleled support and contributions to Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.
Her daughter-in-law also president of India's ruling Congress party, Sonia Gandhi, received the posthumous award from Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman on behalf of Indira Gandhi at a ceremony in Bangabhaban.
Indira Gandhi is the first among the foreign friends of Bangladesh to be conferred the highest state honour.
Expressing her heartfelt thanks for the honour, Sonia recalled the tumultuous days of 1971 when her mother-in-law took a firm stance to side with the Bangalee people fighting to establish their own country.
"If Indira Gandhi could have been with us, I know she would have been overwhelmed by the high honour you have bestowed on her," Sonia said.
"There can be no honour higher than the one conferred for the freedom of an oppressed people and the birth of a great nation," she said.
She said she felt humble and privileged but also proud to accept the award on her mother-in-law's behalf. "I do so with a very full heart and consciousness that the honour is not her alone but also India's, and in a sense yours as well."
She said she came to Bangladesh not just to visit another country.
"Memories and emotions flood my mind. My husband and I were present at the airport along with Indira Ji amid massive crowds on the historic morning on January 10, 1972, when Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was welcomed in Delhi on his way to his newly free country," recalled Sonia.
"The amount of excitement and sense of optimism, indeed the knowledge that history was being made, I can never forget," she said.
Sonia concluded her speech by saying, "Joy Bangla, Joy Bangladesh-India friendship."
President Zillur Rahman said, "This is a very special and historic occasion for us, an occasion that will certainly be written in golden letters in the history of both of our nations."
He said Indira Gandhi inspired millions of Bangladeshis and Indians to fight against all oppression and injustice.
"She launched an intense and bold diplomatic move for Bangladesh, despite challenges by some major powers. She also vigorously pursued the Pakistani authority for safe release of Bangabandhu," he said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Indira Gandhi as a true and great friend of Bangladesh, its people, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"On Bangabandhu's request, she withdrew the Indian soldiers within three months of Bangladesh's independence. That was a unique gesture of Mrs Indira Gandhi," Hasina said.
"We are delighted to honour her with our highest award," she said, recalling the eventful days of Bangladesh's liberation war in 1971.
She said Indira Gandhi travelled the world to rally support of the world community for the independence of Bangladesh, and for saving the life of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was then facing capital punishment in a Pakistani jail.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said, "We are here to honour a friend who played the most critical role among all our foreign friends in our nation's journey to statehood. Indira Gandhi changed the course of events in the fateful months of 1971. And with the support she gave to our embattled people, the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh was born. Today we are here to recognise and express our gratitude, and to honour Indira Gandhi."
The award's teak frame contains two gold plates on both sides of a folded box. Fifty-year-old teak, preserved by the Department of Forest, has been used for the frame.
Sreemati Indira Gandhi's name is inscribed on the plate on the left side in Bangla and English while the plate on the right has the signatures of Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The plate on the left mentions that the award was conferred as the highest token of respect and gratitude of the Bangalee nation to Indira Gandhi for her immense contribution to Bangladesh's War of Independence.
A brief audio-visual documentary was played at the 50-minute ceremony which showed images of Bangladesh's Liberation War, Indira Gandhi's activities during that period, and some of her moments with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The documentary made the audience quite emotional.
The entrance of Bangabhaban was decorated with pictures depicting historic moments of Indira Gandhi during Bangladesh's struggle for liberation. Both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sonia Gandhi saw the pictures with curiosity.
State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Capt (retd) AB Tajul Islam gave the welcome speech. A large number of dignitaries including some foreign guests were present at the ceremony.
Cabinet Secretary M Abdul Aziz read out the citation conferred on Indira Gandhi.
The event concluded with the playing of the national anthem of Bangladesh.
Indira Gandhi was the third prime minister of India for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977, and for a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.
Source : The Daily Star
