Citing a friend's role
Following is the translated text of the citation in honour of late Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi: The people of Bangladesh hold in mind with deep appreciation the incomparable contribution of the great Indian leader Shrimati Indira Gandhi and the Indian people. Since the beginning of the Liberation War that broke out following the call of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Smt Indira Gandhi firmly stood for Bangladesh and its people fighting for independence even in the face of opposition and threats from several international quarters. When in 1971 the Pakistani military junta employed its maximum strength to suppress the spirit and rights of freedom of the Bangladeshi people and when the existence of the nation was threatened, India sheltered more than one crore refugees, gave the Bangladesh government an opportunity to work freely, supported freedom fighters, initiated all possible efforts to free Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from a Pakistani prison, undertook diplomatic measures to draw international support in favour of the Liberation War, and, finally, quickened the freedom of Bangladesh at the risk of engaging itself in a war. The history of the Liberation War remains incomplete without citing the unswerving support and cooperation and the outstanding role and other contributions of the Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It is for her solid and brave stance for the Liberation War from the very beginning to the end that our victory was quickened. It is for that reason the homecoming of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was possible so promptly. As a symbol of the highest veneration and appreciation of the people and the government of Bangladesh, Smt. Indira Gandhi has been conferred with "Bangladesh Freedom Honour" (posthumously) today, Shravan 10, 1418 Bangla Calendar/ July 25, 2011, AD.
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