On the invitation of Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid, on December 15-17, 2021, the President of India Ram Nath Kovind was on a 3-day State visit to Bangladesh to attend the 50th Victory Day (Bijay Dibos or Vjay Diwas) celebrations at the National Parade ground in Dhaka as a guest of honour. He was the only foreign dignitary invited to jointly commemorate these celebrations reflecting a strong bond between two nations.
- This was the first visit of President Ram Nath Kovind to Bangladesh since the Covid-19 outbreak.
- He landed at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and was received by Bangladeshi President Mohammad Abdul Hamid.
- He was accompanied by the Minister of State (MoS), Ministry of Education (MoE) Subhas Sarkar and a Member of Parliament (MP) Rajdeep Roy.
- The previous presidential visit from India to Bangladesh was undertaken by Pranab Mukherjee in 2013.
What is Victory Day?
India-Bangladesh celebrates 16th December as Victory Day to commemorate the win over Pakistan and their surrender to our joint forces in 1971 leading to the liberation of Bangladesh (Bangladesh Liberation war of 1971).
- Both countries are also celebrating the golden jubilee of establishment of their diplomatic ties.
Key Points:
i.On the Victory Day, a parade was held including 122 member tri-service contingent from the Indian armed forces. It also saw flypast, aerobatics display, armoury acquisitions of different regiments and contingents of the armed forces.
- President Ram Nath Kovind visited the National Martyrs Memorial at Savar to pay tribute to the soldiers of both countries
ii.The Indian President held delegation-level meeting with Hamid Abdul Hamid. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dr Abul Kalam Abdul Momen also called on him.
iii.He also visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay respect to the memory of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation.
2021: Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence
The year 2021 commemorates the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. It commemorates 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
- In this regard, Indian President delivered an address at a special event held to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh and culmination of Mujib Borsho at the South Plaza of the Bangladesh Parliament
President Kovind presents replica of 1971-era MIG 21 aircraft to Bangladesh
President Ram Nath Kovind presented a replica of the 1971-era MIG 21 aircraft to his counterpart Abdul Hamid to commemorate the joint sacrifices made by the armed forces of India and Bangladesh during the 1971 liberation war.
- The original aircraft has been installed at the Bangladesh National Museum.
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates Dhaka’s historic Kali Mandir
On December 17, the President inaugurated the newly reconstructed Sree Sree Ramna Kali Mandir in Dhaka that had been destroyed in March 1971 by Pakistani forces.
Key announcements made during the visit:
Gifting of the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition to the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka; announcement of the first occupant of the Bangabandhu Chair at Delhi University; and; extension of the Nutan India – Bangladesh Maitree Muktijoddha Sontan Scholarship Scheme for a period of five years
Recent Related News:
Bangladeshi scientist Firdausi Qadri, who developed a cheap oral vaccine against cholera won the Ramon Magsaysay award 2021 which is also called Asia’s Nobel Prize. Along with her, the other recipients received the award for the year 2021.
About Bangladesh:
Capital– Dhaka
Currency– Taka
