Sheikh Hasina confers scholarships on descendants of Indian soldiers killed in Bangladesh Liberation War

Tags: International Relations International News

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conferred the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Student Scholarship at a function in New Delhi on 7 September. 

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• This scholarship was awarded for the first time to the descendants of soldiers, officers of the Armed Forces of India who were martyred or grievously injured during the historic liberation war of 1971.

• This scholarship was awarded to 100 - 100 students of class 10 and 12 which is a tribute to the Indian heroes who made supreme sacrifice for the country.

• The award is named after Hasina's father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

• A total of 200 family members of Indian Army personnel have received scholarships.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -

Liberation War of 1971 :

• In the 1950s, Pakistan was ruled by a military-bureaucratic rule that ruled the entire country (East and West Pakistan) in an undemocratic manner.

• The Bengalites had no political representation in this system of governance.

• This dominance of West Pakistan was challenged by the Bengalis during the general elections of 1970.

• In the general election of 1970, the Awami League of East Pakistan's Sheikh Mujibur Rahman got a clear majority.

• West Pakistan was not ready for any leader of East Pakistan to rule the country.

• On March 26, 1971, West Pakistan launched Operation Searchlight in East Pakistan.

• As a result, lakhs of Bangladeshis had to take refuge in India.

• The Pakistani army had to face defeat due to the bravery of the 'Muktiwahini Sena' and Indian soldiers who fought for the independence of Bangladesh.

• On 6 December 1971, a new nation Bangladesh was born out of 13 days war with the intervention of India.