Sheikh Hasina in India: Bangabandhu bonding and Unfinished Memoirs

Bangladesh’s Liberation War and Bangabandu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman loomed large as the prime ministers of India and Bangladesh held their official engagements and appeared together at a function to honour the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for an independent Bangladesh.

After holding talks, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi jointly released the Hindi translation of Bangabandhu’s book “Unfinished Memoirs” at the Hyderabad House, with the Indian leader saying that Bangabandhu’s “life, struggle and contribution to the creation of Bangladesh will continue to inspire future generations.” The two leaders then pressed a remote control to unveil the plaque containing the new name of a prominent street in the heart of New Delhi — from Park Street to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Street.

In his joint appearance before the media with Mrs Hasina, Mr Modi termed Bangabandhu “a dear friend of India and a towering leader” and said the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujiur Rahman Street is dedicated to the friendship between India and Bangladesh.

“As a mark of our respect and deep admiration for the father of Bangladesh, a prominent road in our capital city has been named after him,” Mr Modi said.

He also said India and Bangladesh also agreed to jointly produce a film on the life and works of Bangabandhu, which will be released on his birth centenary year in 2020. To mark the Golden Jubilee Year of Bangladesh’s independence in 2021, the two countries also agreed to jointly produce a documentary film on the Liberation War of Bangladesh.

Speaking at the event, Sheikh Hasina said the history of Bangladesh has been written with the blood of Indian martyrs along with valiant freedom fighters of Bangladesh. “They fought together for the independence of Bangladesh. The story of their sacrifice will be remembered from generation to generation in our two countries,” she said.

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