Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Sunday was conferred upon the ‘Bangladesh Liberation War Honor’ in recognition of his active role in support of Bangladesh Liberation War when he was a Lok Sabha member. Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the award from Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on behalf of Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a ceremony held at Bangabhaban as Vajpayee could not visit Bangladesh to receive the honour as he is unwell. Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan read out the citation conferred on Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Chief Justice SK Sinha, Opposition Leader Raushan Ershad, cabinet members, Indian Prime Minister’s entourage were, among others, present on the occasion. Bangladesh introduced the honour in various categories to recognise the contributions of foreign friends and has so far awarded several hundred foreigners. Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was awarded posthumously on July 25, 2012, while President Pranab Mukherjee on March 5, 2013. Indira Gandhi’s daughter-in-law and Congress party president Sonia Gandhi received the honour on her behalf at a special ceremony in 2012. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Indian Prime Minister first time for 13 days in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004. — Dhaka, June 7 (UNB)
