New Delhi: On the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Bangladesh’s independence and birth centenary celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday issued a video message to Sheikh Hasina and talked about 1971, the year that was transformative for Bangladesh as well as India.
In her video message, Sonia said, “Fifty years ago, the courageous people of Bangladesh scripted a whole new destiny for themselves and transformed both history and geography of the sub-continent”.
Further lauding neighbouring country’s transition, Ms Gandhi said, “Over the past five decades, Bangladesh’s remarkable achievements in social development, community participation, eco growth and other areas has been very impressive and has received global recognition.”
Sonia Gandhi was invited to by Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina but the former couldn’t travel due to Covid-19 related restrictions.
Reminiscing about friendship between former PM Indira Gandhi and Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibar Rehman, Ms Gandhi said, “We in India have always had a special relationship with the people of Bangladesh. This has been in very large measure because of the role Indira Gandhi played in historic events of 1971.” She added that the two leaders had established “bonds of mutual respect, admiration and deep friendship”.
Sonia Gandhi also termed Year 1971 “as much a transformative year for India as it was for Bangladesh.”
“On this joyous occasion, and as someone who lived through the transformative hours, days, weeks and months of 1971 by Indira Gandhi’s side along with my husband Rajiv ji, I am personally delighted to share the pride of Sheikh Hasina and millions of her countrymen and women,” Ms Gandhi said.
