Swadhinata Sammanona for Indira
The government yesterday decided to confer “Bangladesh Swadhinata Sammanona” upon former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi posthumously for her outstanding contribution to the country's Liberation War in 1971. Indira will be the first ever foreigner to be given the highest state honour. The two other state honours--Bangladesh Muktijuddho Sammanona and Muktijuddho Moitree Sammanona--would be given to 47 people and five organisations for their tremendous contributions to the Liberation War marking the 40th anniversary of the independence next year. The decision came at the weekly cabinet meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. President Zillur Rahman will formally hand over the honour to Indian Congress party President Sonia Gandhi, also daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi, at Bangabhaban on July 25. PM's Press Secretary Abul Klam Azad briefed reporters on the cabinet decision after the meeting. During her Dhaka visit, Sonia will attend a conference on autism organised by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Indira extended her all out support for the freedom of Bangladesh by sending troops to fight against the Pakistani occupation forces, providing shelters, foods and medicines to 10 million people who fled their home to India, and giving trainings, arms and ammunition to thousands of freedom fighters of Bangladesh to attain liberty.
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