'Matter of great pride': PM Modi after receiving honour on Vajpayee's behalf

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that it was a matter of pride for the people of India that Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being honoured for his contribution to the Bangladesh Liberation War.

"For me today, it is a matter of great fortune and a matter of great pride for all Indians that a great leader like Atal Bihari Vajpayee is being honoured. He dedicated his entire life for the service of the country and he fought for the rights of the common man. And from a political point of view, he was an inspiration for political workers like me. For this great leader who was conferred the Bharat Ratna, today Bangladesh is honouring him with the Liberation War Honour," Prime Minister Modi said during his speech at the award ceremony in Bangabhaban.

"At a time during the liberation war when the 'Mukti Jodhas' of Bangladesh were shedding blood, Indian citizens too were fighting side by side with them and in a way helped realised the dream of Bangladesh. And it was under his leadership even though he was in the opposition, he was able to give direction for this in our country and this is being remembered today here in Bangladesh. For this, I express my gratitude to Bangladesh," he added.

The Prime Minister said that it would have been wonderful if Vajpayee had been present to receive this honour himself.

"If Atal ji's health permitted and he was present here, this occasion would be very different," he said.

He expressed hope that Vajpayee would soon become well, and guide everyone once again.

Prime Minister Modi said that though he had entered politics quite late, he had been one of the many youth activists who had come to Delhi in response to Vajpayee's call for satyagraha for the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.

"Under Vajpayee ji's leadership when Jan Sangh organized satyagraha for the liberation war, I came as a volunteer from my village to Delhi. This war which was full of pride for people of Bangladesh, every Indian also wanted this dream to be realized. I was also among those million Indians who wanted whole-heartedly that this dream be realized," he said.

Prime Minister Modi also recalled the immortal words of Vajpayee, who, in a speech in Parliament on December 6, 1971, had said that the friendship between India and Bangladesh was like a bond which would not break under any pressure, and would never be the victim of any diplomacy.

"It may be late in the day but by recognizing Bangladesh we have taken a step in the right direction, the process of changing history is unfolding before our eyes and destiny has placed this Parliament, this country at an important juncture where we are not only fighting shoulder to shoulder with those who are fighting their lives in the Liberation War but also attempting to give a new direction to history," Prime Minister Modi quoted an excerpt from Vajpayee's speech.

"Today for Bangladesh's freedom, the liberation fighters and Indian jawans are fighting side by side shedding their blood. This blood will give rise to a relationship which will not break under any pressure, which will not be a target of any diplomacy. The mukti or liberation of Bangladesh is very near....," he added.