She came in a wheelchair, draped in a cream saree, her hair tied with a scarf; Param Vir Charka Lance Naik Albert Ekka's ailing and ageing widow Balamdine met Bangladeshi Prime minister Sheikh Hasina at an event at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment, where Hasina offered her a memento to honour the sacrifice of her husband for the cause of Bangladesh.
It was a somber occasion as Hasina and Prime minister Narendra Modi recalled the sacrifices of the 1661 Indian soldiers who were martyred in the war that led to the creation of Bangladesh. The hall was packed with veterans of the war, and the families of the martyrs as Hasina honoured the families of seven of the martyrs. “The history of Bangladesh has been written by the blood of the Indian martyrs along with valiant freedom fighters of Bangladesh. The story of their sacrifice will be remembered from generation to generation,'' said Hasina, adding that she had started the initiative to recall the contribution of “foreign friends of the Liberation War of 1971'' in 2009.
Modi, on his part, extended India's largesse to Muktijodhas (Bangla freedom fighters) extending an existing scholarship scheme for families of these fighters by another 10,000. India has also offered five year multiple entry visas to the Muktijodhas and offered free medical treatment for 100 of them under a special scheme.
Modi said that while Bangladesh had thrived as a free country, which reflected on several human indices (life expectancy which is even better than India, improved child mortality and economic growth), India was always ready to offer its “friend” all assistance. He repeated his pet slogan “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (inclusive growth), giving it a meaning that transcending national growth. He said he dreamt of taking all neighbouring countries along with India on the path to progress. Modi, however, pointed out that “there is a mentality in South Asia opposed to the approach of India and Bangladesh to promote development; this mentality nurtures and inspires terrorism.''
Without mentioning Pakistan by name, Modi made several digs at the neighbouring country. He said that it was April, back in 1971, when the most inhuman atrocities were began inflicted on people of Bangladesh and that as the two countries celebrate their friendship and honour the martyrs, it was also a day to reject the abhorrent mentality behind the tragedies inflicted upon Bangladesh.
The function saw the attendance of top military brass as well as top BJP leaders. Apart from Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, BJP veterans L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were also present.
