Indira Gandhi was conferred upon the highest Bangladesh award, the Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanonoa, in Bangladesh on Monday. The award was received by Ms. Sonia Gandhi on behalf of her mother-in-law.

The award is the country’s highest honour for any foreign national and was presented to Indira Gandhi posthumously on occasion of 40yrs of Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina was also present there with her cabinet. Award constituted a 200 tola gold and a citation saying Ms. Indira Gandhi stood by the side of the people of Bagladesh from the beginning of the Liberation War despite various adversities. She provided shelter to about one crore Bangladeshi refugees. She provided courage in the Liberation War by facing different diplomatic hurdles. She played a great role in freeing Bangabandhu from Pakistan Jail. Her contribution to Bangladesh’s Liberation War will be remembered forever.

HIGHEST BANGLADESHI AWARD FOR INDIRA GANDHI

Report by Bikram Singh Rana