Vajpayee gets Liberation War Honour Award

Former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Sunday was conferred upon the 'Bangladesh Liberation War Honour' in recognition of his active role in support of Bangladesh Liberation War when he was a Lok Sabha member, reports UNB.
Visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the award from Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid on behalf of Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a ceremony held at Bangabhaban as Vajpayee could not visit Bangladesh to receive it as he is unwell.
Addressing the function, Modi said, "The entire life of Atal Bihari Vajpayee was for the country and general people. Today Bangladesh is honouring Vajpayee, a great leader, for his contribution to Bangladesh Liberation War."
Modi expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for conferring Bangladesh Liberation War Honour on Vajpayee saying, "During the Liberation War when freedom fighters were shedding blood, Indian citizens were also fighting side by side with them. Thus, they helped realise the dream of Bangladesh. Even though he (Vajpayee) was in opposition, was able to give India direction in this regard."
Modi said he was delighted as Vajpayee is being honoured by the President of Bangladesh, an illustrious freedom fighter and in the presence of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Modi said though he had entered politics quite late, he had been one of the many youth activists who had come to Delhi in response to Shri Vajpayee's call for Satyagraha for the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan read out the citation conferred on Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Indian Prime Minister first time for 13 days in 1996 and then from 1998 to 2004.