NEW DELHI, Sept 1: The Bangladesh government has announced one-day national mourning on Wednesday in honour of the 13th Indian president Pranab Mukherjee.
The national flag in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh will fly half-mast on September 2.
Considered as a “true friend” of the independent Bangladesh, Mukherjee was conferred its state honour “Muktijuddho Sammanona” (Liberation war honour) in 2013.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep sadness and sorrow over the death. In a commiseration message, she shared her reminiscences with Mukherjee and the bond between them. She also called him as a “real friend of Bangladesh.” She recalled many memories of Mukherjee together with the Bangabandhu family. She recalled Mukherjee’s unique contribution as a great friend during the liberation war of Bangladesh. “With all due respect, I’ll always remember his outstanding involvement in the liberation war,” she said.
Mukherjee after the assassination of her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, had “extended his support during the émigré of the family in India.” she said. “Pranab Mukherjee would take care of the family and always stood beside us in case of any help. Even after our return to Bangladesh, he extended all support and kept us in good spirit. He has been our guardian and a family friend in every crisis,” Sheikh Hasina said.
“In the death of Pranab Mukherjee, India has lost a wise and patriotic leader and Bangladesh has lost a beloved friend. Pranab Mukherjee will be remembered as a shining star politician of India,” she said.
In her condolence letter to the prime minister Narendra Modi, she said “a renowned scholar, a statesman of India and a highly esteemed leader of South Asia. Pranab Mukherjee commanded the respect and admiration of all.”
K .P Sharma Oli, the prime minister of Nepal, and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the President of Maldives, joined her in offering condolences. Oli said “in his demise, Nepal has lost a great friend” while Solih described late Mukherjee as “a public servant of the highest calibre. His passing away is a tremendous loss not only to India but the entire South Asian region.”
(Venkatesh Iyer)