Fear of unknown causing problems
Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman yesterday said he believed that the people's representatives of Bangladesh and India would act like statesmen in resolving the problems between the two countries.
The "fear of the unknown" and "suspicion of the unknown" are causing a lot of problems between the countries, he told a reception at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.
“If the people of the two countries can come closer to each other and know each other, many of the suspicions may go away.”
Indian High Commission in Dhaka organised the felicitation programme to honour Anisuzzaman for his receiving India's third highest civilian award Padma Bhusan.
At the event, the Indian envoy, Pankaj Saran, presented him with an uttorio (scarf).
“I am grateful to one [India] for conferring me the Padma Bhushan, and I am thankful to the other [Indian High Commission in Bangladesh] for arranging this function,” Anisuzzaman said.
On the occasion, Professor of English at Dhaka University Syed Manzoorul Islam gave a vivid description of the magnanimity of Anisuzzaman.
India's President Pranab Mukherjee handed over the award to Anisuzzaman on March 31 for his “distinguished service of high order” in the field of Bangla literature and education.
His name was announced on the eve of the 65th Republic Day of India on January 26.
Born in Kolkata in 1937, Prof Anisuzzaman had a distinguished academic career at Dhaka University where he obtained his BA in Bangla literature in 1956, MA in 1957, and PhD in 1962.
His publications include Muslim-manas O Bangla Sahitya, Swaruper Sandhane, Purono Bangla Gadya, Bangali Nari: Sahitye O Samaje, Kal Nirabadhi, and Ihajagatikata O Anyanya.
Anisuzzaman, 77, was awarded the Ekushey Padak by the Bangladesh government in 1985.
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