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‘Pranab Mukharjee was a good soul, a true friend of Bangladesh’


Published : 31 Aug 2020 10:17 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 09:59 PM

Bangladesh deeply mourns the death of Pranab Mukherjee, a towering figure in the politics of Indian sub-continent, India’s first Bengali President and a tested and trusted friend of Bangladesh. 

Noted Bangladeshi personalities termed him a good soul and a true friend of Bangladesh.

Talking to Bangladesh Post, Professor Shamsuzzaman Khan, President of Bangla Academy, said  Pranab Mukherjee's death is an irreparable loss to Bangladesh.

“Not only during our War of Liberation, he had always been in favour of Bangladesh. He used to speak for Bangladesh during his presidency and after as well,” said Professor Khan.

He further said after the Bangla Academy had published books on Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Pranab Mukherjee became very happy and congratulated the Academy.

Professor Syed Manjurul Islam of Dhaka University said during Pranab Mukherjee’s presidency of India, he would always try to favour Bangladesh.

“He was really a good soul and a very cultural-minded person. He was always active against fundamentalism. He was always positive about Bangladesh”, said Professor Manjurul Islam.

He said Pranab Mukherjee always would become happy with the success of Bangladesh although he was not from Bangladesh.

“So far I know Pranab Mukherjee was the only Bengali who became the President of India and I am in doubt whether anyone from Bengal will be able to become the president of India in future”, he said.

Pranab Mukherjee died on Monday evening after battling severe lung infection at an army hospital in New Delhi.

A Congress politician for more than five decades, Pranab Mukherjee (84) was president of India from July 2012 to July 2017. Pranab was winner of India's highest civilian honour, Bharat Ratna.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen also expressed deep grief over the death of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

In a message on Monday, the foreign minister of Bangladesh said that Pranab Mukherjee was a true friend of Bangladesh. From the very beginning of Bangladesh, he has been in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh for his commitment to the welfare, peace and development of Bangladesh.

Dr Momen extended his condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased and wished peace for the departed soul.