Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor called upon the young generations not to confine their knowledge within books but to know the true national history to become enlightened citizens with patriotic zeal.
“Our young generations should know how their previous generations were exploited by the Pakistani regime – how Bangabandhu united the whole Bangalee nation – and how the ultimate War of Liberation took place in 1971,” Noor said.
He said this on Saturday while addressing a function organised by Assistant High Commission of India, stationed at Rajshahi, for distribution of Taka 75.80-lakh as scholarship of the Indian government to 187 heirs of the Freedom Fighters at Town Hall auditorium in Rangpur as the chief guest.
On the occasion, 59 higher secondary level students and 128 degree (honours) level students, who are heirs of the Freedom Fighters, received cheques of Taka 20,000 and Taka 50,000 each respectively, from all eight districts in Rangpur division.
Assistant High Commissioner of India, stationed at Rajshahi, Abhijit Chattopadhyay presided over the function.Deputy Commissioner Enamul Habib, Police Super Mizanur Rahman and Rangpur district unit Commander of Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangshad Mosaddek Hossain Bablu spoke as special guests.
The Minister said the people of Bangladesh would ever remember assistance and contribution extended by the people and government of India and their sacrifice during the War of Liberation in 1971 in liberating the nation.
“The friendly relations between Bangladesh and India have reached the highest level now- the relations have been built with bloods of the martyred Freedom Fighters and soldiers of Indian Armed forces – and none can destroy the relations,” he said.
Noor thanked the Indian government for distribution of scholarships to assist the heirs of the Freedom Fighters in becoming knowledgeable citizens to serve the nation for realising Bangabandhu’s dream of bringing smile to faces of the suffering people.
Abhijit Chattopadhyay said the Indian government started distribution of scholarships to the heirs of the Freedom Fighters in 2006 and already distributed Taka 16.50 crore to 10,936 of them in Bangladesh.
“We are distributing scholarships to 621 higher secondary students and 1,000 degree (honours) students under the new Muktijoddha Scholarship Scheme and 400 degree (honours) students under the old programme in Bangladesh this year,” he said.
Abhijit narrated other steps taken by the Indian government to provide free treatments to the ailing Freedom Fighters in Indian Army Hospitals and issuance of multiple visas to the Freedom Fighters for five years.
