Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran on Saturday expressed his hope that the two friendly neighbouring nations will continue to work together to have a ‘peaceful and bright future’ free from poverty for both the countries. Despite various adversities, the diplomat said, the friendly relations between Bangladesh and India have strengthened over the last 43 years, said a PID handout. Pankaj Saran also mentioned that India stood beside Bangladesh during the War of Liberation in 1971. The diplomat was addressing a function at the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in the city. Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque attended the function as the chief guest.
Later, the minister handed over cheques to 30 children of freedom fighters (Dhaka region) as a symbolic start of cheque distribution ceremonies for the year 2014. The Indian government awards scholarships to the direct descendants of ‘Muktijuddhas’ of Bangladesh for undergraduate and higher secondary studies every year in Bangladesh, said a media release issued by Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Saturday. The scholarship scheme was launched by the Indian government in 2006-2007, under which 4462 students at the higher secondary level and 2080 students at the undergraduate level have so far been awarded scholarships. Applications from direct descendents of the freedom fighters are invited each year for the award of scholarships in the months of September and October. This year scholarships are planned to be awarded to 1364 Bangladeshi students. –UNB
