Hasina recalls support from Indian northeast

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives the citation of the honorary Doctor of Literature (D. Litt) from Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari yesterday at the Tripura University in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka Taking the opportunity to be in Agartala, the capital of India’s northeastern state of Tripura, for the first time to receive a university honorary D.Litt degree, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the people of Tripura for their wholehearted support to establish an independent Bangladesh in 1971. “As we touched down at Agartala airport last evening, a flush of emotions overwhelmed me as I recalled the tremendous sacrifices you made during our glorious struggle for independence,” she said. The Tripura University conferred the honorary D. Litt degree (honoris causa) to Sheikh Hasina in recognition of her statesmanship, visionary leadership and resolute commitment to peace and democracy. Indian Vice-President Mohamed Hamid Ansari conferred the degree on Bangladesh PM at the 9th convocation of the university. Sheikh Hasina is the first foreign leader who received the honorary D.Litt by the university after its establishment in 1987. Many people in Tripura are viewing Sheikh Hasina’s visit as mark of recognition of Tripura for its outstanding contribution to the Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971, according to a report reaching Dhaka yesterday. Receiving the D.Litt degree, Sheikh Hasina said the honour would inspire and encourage her further in dedicating life for the service of the people. “As our hapless people streamed across the border with only their lives, starving and lost, they were welcomed by you with open arms,” she said adding, “We vividly remember those tragic days and the love and support our people received from you.” Sheikh Hasina recalled that Tripura state was flooded with refugees which were more than its own population in 1971. “The freedom fighters of Bangladesh received training and all support, and eventually fought together with Indian friends to force the occupation forces to surrender,” she said. Referring to the close historical, cultural, linguistic and traditional affinity between peoples of Bangladesh and Tripura, she said, “This is why our people migrated en masse for refuge to Tripura during the horrifying days of 1971.” Indian Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Governor of Tripura state Dr DY Patil, state Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, Indian Federal Minister for HRD and Science and ICT Kapil Sibal, Vice-Chancellor Prof Arunoday Saha also spoke at the function presided over by Chancellor Prof Amiya Kumar Bagchi. Sheikh Hasina said: “To be here, is the realisation of a long awaited dream. I thank the people of Tripura and the Tripura University for making this possible”. She appreciated the role of Tripura University in inspiring students with the philosophy of values of love, equality, justice and freedom. “So, with much pride, I accept this prestigious Doctor of Literature,” she said. Earlier, the Bangladesh Prime Minister unveiled the statue of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore on the university campus which was used as a camp during Bangladesh’s Liberation War.