Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday urged all to ensure peace and protect the future generations from the poison of terrorism.
“Innocent people are being killed. People are becoming living human bombs,” he said pointing finger at the loss of innocent lives in worldwide terrorism.
While addressing the closing session of the ‘International Bengali Literature Conference’ at Bangla Academy in the city, Pranab, the great friend of Bangladesh, said it is not clear what the terrorists want but they become living human bombs.
“Not only environment pollution, the biggest pollution is in people’s minds,” he said urging creative people, writers and artists to work and remove minds’ dark.
Convener of the conference Prof Anisuzzaman, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, key coordinator of the conference Nasiruddin Yousuf and Bangla Academy Director General Shamshuzzaman Khan were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the Bangla Academy DG said the conference will be a historic one with the presence of Pranab Mukherjee.
He urged the friends from India to learn more about Bangladesh and sought initiatives to allow Bangladesh TV channels in India.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the three-day literature conference on Saturday at Bangla Academy.
Meanwhile, Pranab, who arrived here on Sunday, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban on Monday.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith will host dinner in the evening in honor of Pranab.
On Tuesday morning, Pranab will go to Chittagong and visit Chittagong Armoury Raid site, the European Club site and Chittagong University.
Chittagong University will honour the former Indian President with a Doctor of Letters (D. Litt) degree on Tuesday afternoon through a special convocation ceremony.
The university has taken the decision in its 52nd syndicate meeting recently.
CU Registrar Prof Dr Kamrul Huda said the former Indian President is also scheduled to visit two dormitories-Surya Sen and Pritilata-during his visit and will deliver a speech for the teachers and students.
“The decision to honour him (Pranab) with D. Litt was taken in consultation with President (Abdul Hamid),” Dr Huda said.
Pranab, according to his programme schedule, will visit ancestral home of Masterda Surya Sen, an influential leader of Indian independence movement against British rule, at village Noapara under Raozan upazila in Chittagong to pay homage to Surya Sen.
Pranab, who served as the 13th president of India and now enjoying his retired life by reading books and writing his diary, will meet President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday evening. President Hamid will host dinner in honour Pranab at Bangabhaban.
The former Indian President will leave for New Delhi by Jet Airways at 10:20am on Thursday.
