Government to honour '71 friends

The government has decided to honour around 500 foreign individuals and organisations that helped the nation win freedom in 1971.
With Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, the cabinet yesterday approved a proposal to accord a reception to these foreign friends on the 40th anniversary of independence on March 26 next year.
The ministries of foreign affairs and Liberation War affairs have prepared a draft list of 472 people and institutions from 26 countries including India, Russia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Cuba, France, Japan and Germany. Akashbani of India, BBC, UNHCR, UNDP, WHO, ILO and FAO are among the organisations to be cited for their contribution to the nation's struggle for freedom.
The ministries also proposed building a monument in the capital commemorating the Indian soldiers who made the highest sacrifice for our freedom and a memorial in Chittagong for the Russian soldiers who died sweeping mines there after the Liberation War.
US missionary Richard Taylor is one of the unsung heroes who stood for Bangladesh even being thousands of miles apart. He besieged a Pakistani ship at Chicago port with 100 boats. The ship was there to get weapons to use against the Bangalees.
After a week, the vessel had to start for home empty because of Taylor's strong resistance. This act of bravery has recently hogged the spotlight in a translated book titled “Aborodh” by Mesbah Uddin Muntasir.
Like Taylor, many foreign individuals and organisations stood by Bangladesh during the war.
The draft list of honour includes the names of Indira Gandhi, Jyoti Basu, Mother Teresa, Edward Kennedy, the then Indian army chief Sam Manekshaw, Lt Gen Jagjit Singh Arora, the then Russian prime minister Aleksey Nikolayevich Kosygin and Russian diplomat Yakov Alexandrovich Malik.
US poet Allen Ginsberg, who brilliantly described the misery of the Bangalee refugees in India in his poem “September on Jessore Road”, and British singer George Harrison who collected around $250,000 through his Concert for Bangladesh in New York are also on the list.
Besides, some Pakistani citizens including politicians, journalists and rights activists have been selected for their support to Bangladesh.
After yesterday's meeting, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters that the distinguished persons and organisations would be invited to Bangladesh to receive awards.
Families and relatives of those who have passed away would also be invited, said sources.
Talking to The Daily Star, State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Captain (retired) AB Tajul Islam said, "Around 500 people and organisations are on the list that will be reviewed further.”
"The government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wants to remember with great honour the foreign nationals and organisations that made significant contribution to attaining victory in the Liberation War."
The minister said the mode of award has not yet been finalised. “We want to give our foreign friends something they will remember for the rest of their life.”
A source said the government might offer the foreign friends honorary citizenship of Bangladesh.