Modi in Bangladesh: PM pays homage to martyrs of 1971 war

Dhaka: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday began his historic two-day visit to Bangladesh by paying homage to the martyrs of the 1971 War of Liberation in which India had helped. [caption id=“attachment_2282892” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] PM Narendra Modi. PTI[/caption] He also visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum dedicated to Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. As soon as he arrived in Dhaka on the visit, Modi drove straight to ‘Jatiyo Smriti Shoudho’ (National Martyrs’ Memorial) from airport to pay homage to the thousands who laid down their lives fighting for freedom from Pakistan. Army bugle played the last post as Modi stood in solemn silence for some time in front of the memorial located in Savar, about 35 km north-west of Dhaka. As part of the military ritual, the Bangladesh flag was hoisted and lowered to the half mast as the Indian premier offered wreaths at the altar. The Indian premier planted a sapling at the memorial premises and signed the visitors’ book there. “Beginning the visit by paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War of 1971,” he tweeted. “Foundation Stone for Jatiyo Smriti Shoudho was laid by Bangabandhu himself. Design was chosen from various entries obtained in a competition,” Modi added in another tweet. He noted that the memorial consists of 7 distinct triangles indicating 7 stages of the national movement of Bangladesh that led to its Independence. “Memorial gives impression of rising from the ashes like a phoenix. It symbolises courage & determination of people,” the Indian Prime Minister said. PTI