The golden jubilee of the conferment of the Joliot-Curie Medal of Peace to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be celebrated nationally today.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of the Bengali nation-state and the architect of independence, the forerunner of democracy and peace movement, was awarded the Julio-Curie Peace Prize by the World Peace Council on May 23, 1973.
To commemorate the contributions of world-renowned scientists Marie Curie and Pierre Curie to the struggle for world peace, the World Peace Council has been awarding Julio Curie Peace Prize to distinguished individuals and organisations since 1950 for outstanding contribution to the fight against fascism, anti-imperialism, humanitarian welfare and peace.
World leaders like Fidel Castro, Ho Chi Minh, Yasser Arafat, Salvador
Allende, Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, poet and politician
Pablo Neruda, Jawaharlal Nehru, Martin Luther King and Leonid Brezhnev were
awarded the prize.
The peace prize of the World Peace Council was an international recognition
of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his
contribution to the establishment of world peace.
The Julio-Curio Peace Prize award was the first ever international award for
Bangladesh.
As a result of this great achievement, the Father of the Nation turned into
Vishwabandhu from Bangabandhu.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued
separate messages on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Joliot-Curie
Peace Medal Award to Bangabandhu.
In his message, the President said Bangabandhu's whole life was dedicated to
the quest for peace and freedom.
That is why, after receiving this medal at the World Peace Conference held on
23 May 1973, Bangabandhu could rightly declare during his acceptance speech
that establishing peace was the mission of his life, said Mohammed
Shahabuddin.
"His clarion call for freedom not only included political independence but
also the dream of peace for the exploited, deprived and repressed people of
Bangladesh," he said.
The President said during his long political career, Bangabandhu always
supported the peace-loving people at home and abroad and stood beside them.
"His philosophy of peace is still equally relevant in the present global
context and inspire us," he said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
became the beloved 'Bangabandhu' and 'Father of the Nation' by ensuring the
self-determination and independence of the people of Bangladesh.
Similarly, Bangabandhu's uncompromising stand in favor of global peace earned
him the profound admiration of the masses around the world, she said.
The premier said that the World Peace Council awarded Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman their highest prize- the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal- for his
commendable contributions to global peace and freedom.
That inclusion of the name 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib' on the same list as
that of other globally renowned recipients of this award like Nelson Mandela,
Fidel Castro, Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Pablo Neruda, Martin
Luther King, Yasser Arafat, Leonid Brezhnev once again demonstrated the high
esteem with which the global community honored and respected our Father of
the Nation, she said.
"When the world is troubled by so many wars and conflicts at the present
juncture, his acceptance of this award 50 years ago reminds us that there is
no alternative to peace for the well-being of humankind," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said: "I'm happy to learn that many programs were scheduled,
and a souvenir book will be published by the Cabinet Division to celebrate
the Golden Jubilee of the conferment of the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal to the
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
She extended her thanks to everyone involved in organising the programme for
celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the award of the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal
to Bangabandhu, including those who worked to publish this booklet.
"I believe that this will be beneficial for learning more about Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujib-- the immortal exponent of global peace," she said.
