Indo-Bangla friendship is based on gigantic sacrifice

April 15 & 16, 1972

BANGABANDHU GREETS INDO-BANGLA FRIENDSHIP FAIR

In a letter to the organising committee of Indo-Bangla Friendship Fair, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman recalls with gratitude the great help and assistance advanced by the people and the government of India, particularly Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to the people of Bangladesh during the grim period of the Liberation War. The fair is being held at Calcutta.  Bangabandhu further says that the friendship between Bangladesh and India is based on gigantic sacrifice. He welcomed the initiative of Indo-Bangla Friendship Fair and hopes that it will further strengthen the bond between the two neighbours.

NO HORSE-RACING IN BANGLADESH

Bangabandhu today says horse-racing and drinking do not bring any welfare for acountry and therefore these social evils would not exist in Bangladesh. Bangabandhu assures the workers of these two sectors that they would be absorbed in mills, factories and parks.

DELHI-PINDI OFFICIAL LEVEL TALK IN OFFING

Preliminary arrangements are reportedly underway for high-level official talks between Pakistan and India prior to the Indira-Bhutto Summit. Indira Gandhi firmly believes that a permanent peace settlement is possible in the subcontinent if any foreign power does not interfere. The high-level conference in New Delhi of Indian envoys in Asia also discussed the question of collective security arrangement in the Asian region. It is hoped in the conference that with the restoration of democratic government in Pakistan, Islamabad might change its attitude and come to a peace settlement, recognising the Bangladesh reality.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abdus Samad Azad today informs that the Indian government is keeping the Bangladesh government updated on a regular basis about the initiative.  The Indian authority assures Bangladesh that there will be no discussion on Bangladesh unless and until Pakistan recognises Bangladesh, adds the foreign minister.

USD 10 CRORE NEEDED BEFORE MONSOON

A high-level advisory committee of the UN recommended on April 15, 1972 that 10 crore dollars was needed to complete some reconstruction works before the monsoon sets in. In a press conference in New Delhi, Austrian Ambassador Erna Seiler, also leader of the advisory committee, said that the committee recommended that the UN should continue its aid for the next few years. The committee had prepared detailed reports on relief and resettlement activities and economic reconstruction efforts in Bangladesh. These reports would be handed over to Bangabandhu next week, informed Seiler.

NEW REHABILITATION PLAN FOR WAR-AFFECTED WOMEN

The government has undertaken a five-year rehabilitation plan for the war-affected women and children.  The government will allocate Tk 22.25 crore for the implementation of this project. Under this plan a rehabilitation centre will be established in each Mahakuma. Under this plan, adequate treatment facilities will be provided to Birangonas.

SOURCES: April 16 &17, 1972 issues of Bangladesh Observer, Dainik Bangla and Ittefaq