Padma Bhushan: India honours Muazzem Ali posthumously

Bangladesh’s former foreign secretary and high commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali was posthumously honoured tonight with India’s third highest civilian title Padma Bhushan on the occasion of the 71st Republic Day today.

Noted historian and archaeologist Enamul Haque, another Bangladeshi, has been chosen for the prestigious Padma Shri title, the Indian Home Ministry said in a press release.

Muazzem Ali has been honoured in the category of Public Affairs, the Indian Home Ministry said. Ali is among 16 people chosen for this year’s honour.  

He died in Dhaka on December 30 after he returned on completion of his service as High Commissioner in New Delhi for five years, successfully contributing to the promotion of relations between India and Bangladesh.

Muazzem Ali joined the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1968 and retired in December 2001.

While serving in the Pakistan Embassy in Washington in 1971, he declared his allegiance to the government of Bangladesh.

As a founding member of the Bangladesh Mission in Washington DC, he was active in the lobbying process for political support for Bangladesh’s independence movement. 

Ali was also Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UNESCO where he tabled a draft resolution on behalf of Bangladesh for the proclamation of February 21 as the International Mother Language Day.

Meanwhile, Dr Enamul Haque was born in 1936 in Bogura. He completed his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Dhaka, and went on to do a PhD in South Asian Art from the University of Oxford.

Haque also received a post-graduate Diploma-in-Museology from London, making him the first individual in the sub-continent to receive a degree in the field of museology. He joined the then Dacca Museum in 1962 and retired from Bangladesh National Museum in 1991.

He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2014, followed by the Independence Day Award in 2017.

Haque is an eminent academic, having taught at Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Independent University, and BRAC University.

From 1983 to 1986, he served as the president of the International Council of Museums Asia Pacific Alliance.

Haque currently serves as the founder chairman of The International Centre for Study of Bengal Art and edits the Journal of Bengal Art.

Padma awards, one of the highest civilian awards of India, are conferred in in various fields of activities -- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports and civil service.

“Padma Bhushan” award is given for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field.

The awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day on January 26 every year.

These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi usually around March-April every year.