Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has been awarded with the prestigious “The Gandhi Peace Prize-2020” in recognition of his outstanding contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.
The Gandhi Peace Prize recognizes the immense and unparalleled contribution of Bangabandhu in inspiring liberation of Bangladesh, bringing stability, laying foundation for India-Bangladesh relations and promoting peace in the region, said a statement of the Indian ministry of Culture here this afternoon.
The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by Indian government since 1995, the 125th Birth Anniversary commemoration year of Mahatma Gandhi. The award is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, language, caste, creed or sex.
The Jury for Gandhi Peace Prize is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprises of two ex-officio members — the Chief Justice of India and Leader of the single largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha.
Two eminent members are also part of the Jury, namely Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, and Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organization.
The Jury met on March 19, 2021 and after due deliberations, unanimously decided to select Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the recipient of the Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2020.
Earlier, Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, Former President of Tanzania Julius Nyerere, Dr. Gerhard Fischer from Germany and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa were among the proud recipients of this prestigious prize.
The recent awardees also include Vivekananda Kendra, India (2015), Akshaya Patra Foundation, India and Sulabh International (Jointly, for 2016), Ekal Abhiyan Trust, India (2017) and Yohei Sasakawa, Japan (2018).
The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handicraft or handloom item.
Paying tribute to Bangladesh’s Founding Father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Modi said that Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well.
“The legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade,” Modi added.
Referring to celebration of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary, Modi said as Bangladesh celebrates “Mujib Borsho”, India is honoured to be commemorating his legacy jointly with the government of Bangladesh and its people.
Modi said that Bangabandhu was a champion of human rights and freedom, and is a hero to Indians as well.
He also said that the legacy and inspiration of Bangabandhu has made the heritage of both countries more comprehensive and deep-rooted, and that the path shown by Bangabandhu has laid a strong foundation for the partnership, progress and prosperity of both countries over the last decade.
Nepalese President eulogizes Sheikh Hasina as much inspiring leader in world
Staff Correspondent
Nepalese President Bidya Devi Bhandari yesterday highly praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her dynamic leadership, eulogizing “You are a much inspiring leader in the world.”
“I am your admirer,” she said when Bangladesh premier paid a courtesy call- on her at the Hotel InterContinental in the capital this afternoon.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the newsmen after the meeting.
The Nepalese President said that Bangladesh has made remarkable progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
On women empowerment, Bidya Devi Bhandari said that Bangladesh can be a role model for women’s participation in national development tasks.
Regarding cooperation, she said, “We want meaningful cooperation.”
The Nepalese President thanked the Bangladesh premier as they got prompt support from Bangladesh while they needed fertilizer.
She thanked the Bangladesh premier for offering Nepal to use Bangladesh’s port facilities and the Syedpur Airport.
The Nepalese president stressed the need for enhancing connectivity among the BIMSTEC member-states.
Mentioning that both the countries face adverse impact of the natural disasters, she said that both the countries could ensure maximum use of their respective resources to face the calamities.
The Nepalese President handed over two books– ‘Unfinished Memoirs ’ and ‘Karagarer Rojnamcha’of Bangabandhu translated into Nepali language to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina welcomed the Nepalese President’s visit to Bangladesh to join the celebrations of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation and golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.
The premier also greeted Bidya Devi Bhandari as her country extended supports including supplying of arms to freedom fighters of Bangladesh during the War of Liberation.
She described Nepal as a vulnerable country to climate change.
The premier offered Nepal to use Chattagram and Mongla ports and the Syedpur International Airport.
In this connection, she said, “We are developing the Syedpur Airport as a regional airport.”
The Prime Minister emphasised on mutual cooperation in the fields of trade and commerce and signing of the preferential trade agreement (PTA) between the two countries.
“It will be beneficial for both the countries if the PTA is signed,” she opined.
She also advocated for strengthening connectivity among the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) member states as it will boost trade and commerce in the region.
The Prime Minister said that a hydroelectric power plant could be set up using the water resources of Nepal with joint cooperation of Bangladesh, India and Nepal.
Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen, Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus and PMO Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were present at the meeting.
Nepalese President’s daughter Usha Kiran Bhandari, Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Nepal Academy Chancellor Ganga Praad Uprety were also present.
