FROM HISTORY’S GOLDEN CHAPTER
It was a shivering cold morning on January 10, 1972. Braving the chill, thousands lined the eight-mile route from Delhi’s Parade Ground to Rashtrapati Bhaban.
They cheered
FROM HISTORY’S GOLDEN CHAPTER
It was a shivering cold morning on January 10, 1972. Braving the chill, thousands lined the eight-mile route from Delhi’s Parade Ground to Rashtrapati Bhaban.
They cheered Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the motorcade carrying him, accompanied by Indian leaders, headed for the presidential residence from the Parade Ground. A low flying plane showered them with rose petals.
At the Parade Ground, where he addressed a public meeting, people milled around to get a closer, better look at him. And when he entered the six-door Mercedes Benz which was to take him to Rashtrapati Bhaban, the wildly cheering crowd almost surrounded the car in a vain attempt to shake his hand.
Delhi had prepared overnight to welcome Bangabandhu. Floral arches were set up on roads at several places from the Parade Ground to Rashtrapati Bhaban. Banners reading “Long live the Creator of Bangladesh” and “Long live the Liberator of Bangladesh” fluttered.
The arches were decorated with potted plants and with portraits of Bangabandhu, president of newly born Bangladesh. Along the roads, some iron frames covered with leaves had also been erected.
On that historic morning, Indian President VV Giri, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, many other dignitaries and diplomats of more than 20 foreign countries waited at Delhi’s Palam Airport to receive Bangabandhu, who was flying in from London on his way to a free Bangladesh after his release from nine months of solitary confinement in Pakistan’s Mianwali jail in West Punjab.
As he came down the gangway of the British Royal Air Force plane that brought him from London, he was welcomed with garlands of marigolds by Indira Gandhi, President Giri and other Indian dignitaries. A 21-gun salute heralded his arrival in the Indian capital.
After an exchange of greetings, the president of Bangladesh inspected a guard of honour presented to him by the three services — army, navy and air force. Then he moved to the VIP pandal at the Parade Ground where he was showered with marigold petals.
The national anthem of Bangladesh, “Amar Sonar Bangla”, was played the moment he took his place on the saluting base. It was followed by the Indian national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana”. Both the anthems, it may be noted, were penned by Rabindranath Tagore. The flags of the two countries flanking the pandal fluttered in the breeze.
Before Bangabandhu, Indira Gandhi addressed the crowd. She was aware of the pulse of the crowd. She made a brief statement welcoming Bangabandhu.
In her speech, she said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had promised freedom to his people and had given it to them. India had taken a pledge to free Bangladesh, free Mujib and finally send the refugees to their homes.
Waves of applause greeted Bangabandhu as he rose to address the mammoth gathering. He began his speech in English. But when the crowd clamoured for him to speak in Bengali, a happy Bangabandhu switched to his mother tongue. The crowd roared its approval.
PROSPECT OF GENUINE FRIENDSHIP
In his address, Bangabandhu repeatedly spoke of the unity of feelings between the peoples of Bangladesh and India in their ideals and beliefs. He hoped that Bangladesh would prosper amid undying friendship between the two countries.
He told the cheering Indians on that cold morning that Bangladesh and India would be boun