New Delhi, Sep 7 (Agency) Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday launched the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarship for 200 descendants of Indian Armed Forces personnel martyred and critically injured during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Commencing the scheme she awarded the scholarship to 10 direct descendants of Indian Army personnel who fought in the 1971 Liberation War.
The awardees of included grandson of L/Nk (Late) Albert Ekka, PVC, Grand daughter of Sep (Late) Anaya Prasad, MVC and eight others. Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Hasina said that it’s an honour for Bangladeshis to recall the contribution of Indian war veterans who sacrificed their lives for the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. The program was attended by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Minister for Liberation of War Affairs, Bangladesh Mozammel Haque, MoS for Road Transport Gen VK Singh and other civil and military dignitaries. The ceremony was also attended by the Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar. As a mark of respect for those who made the supreme sacrifice, the ten children and their families visited the National War Memorial and paid homage in the morning. Addressing a special briefing on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s state visit to India, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Tuesday said that India deeply appreciates the gesture of Hasina to honour the descendants of Indian Armed Forces personnel.