On the 50th anniversary of the shared sacrifices of the people of India and Bangladesh during Bangladesh’s struggle for liberation in 1971 in Dhaka on Thursday, President Ram Nath Kovind said: “As a young man, I was inspired by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s moral courage. Like millions, I too was electrified by his thunderous voice on March 7. Like millions of Indians of my generation, we celebrated the victory of Bangladesh against an oppressive regime and were deeply inspired by the faith and courage of the people of this country.”
The President attended the Victory Day parade in Dhaka as the Guest of Honour and interacted with Indian community members, friends of India, Muktijoddhas and Indian war veterans in Bangladesh.
The event was chaired by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, President Abdul Hamid, Rahman’s daughter Sheikh Rehana, Speaker of Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, and Liberation War Affairs Minister AQM Mozammel Haque.
Kovind said: “Your freedom struggle has taken a special place in the hearts of every Indian, especially the people of my generation. Visiting the Memorial of Millions of Martyrs and Bangabandhu Museum in Savar yesterday was a deep emotional experience for me. I was particularly inspired by the summary of his historic March 7th speech. It always stimulates the spirit of justice, freedom and democracy. Therefore, UNESCO has rightly recognized this speech in the world list.”
President Kovind said that the amount of sympathy and grassroots support the struggle had garnered in India is unprecedented in history. “The people have spontaneously opened their hearts to provide all possible assistance to the people of Bangladesh. It was our honor and sacred duty to help our brothers and sisters in their time of need.”
Kovind added: “History would always testify to this unique foundation of our friendship.
The President said that Bangabandhu’s vision was a Bangladesh which was not only politically independent but also a just and inclusive state. “Sadly, his philosophy did not materialize in his life time. The anti-independence activists who brutally killed Bangabandhu and most of his family members did not realize that bullets and violence could not extinguish an idea that had captured the imagination of the people.”
Kovind said that today the hardworking and enterprising people of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are implementing the ideals of Bangabandhu. “We have witnessed admirable economic growth in Bangladesh over the last decade, which has also created opportunities for the citizens of Bangladesh to realize their full potential,” he said.
The geographical advantage and the excellent economic success of your country can benefit the whole sub-region and the world, he added.
Kovind also inaugurated the newly reconstructed Sree Sree Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka, which was destroyed in March 1971 by Pakistani forces. “President Kovind @rashtrapatibhvn inaugurated the renovated Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka, a centuries-old temple dedicated to Goddess Kali,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet on Friday.