Hasina honored with Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace

New Delhi, Jan 12: Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina was honored with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development which carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh and a citation on Jan 12.

Accepting the award, Hasina who is on four-day-visit, said that the two countries must work towards establishing peace in the South Asia.

“We want to have good and friendly relations with all our neighbours. We must work for a South Asia where peace, harmony and progress will prevail. Till we achieve this, our struggle will continue," she said.

Calling dira Gandhi a mother in the true sense of the term, Hasina recalled the help offered by her during the assassination of her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 18 other family members

“We had nowhere to go at that time. Our government then did not allow us to return to our homeland. It was Indira Gandhi who gave us shelter. We took political asylum and stayed in Delhi for six years," she said referring to the assassination of her

Prime Minister praised Hasina stating that in honoring her India 'is honoring a great daughter of Bangladesh, who is also distinguished world leader".

Singh added that Bangladesh has earned respect for itself in the international scenario.

Pledging faith in Hasina's leadership, UPA chairperson, Sonia Gandhi said India's wishes peaceful, secular and democratic Bangladesh.

"We have no doubt that under your (Hasina) leadership it will be realised," She said.

OneIndia News