Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, File photo.

Dhaka, Broadcasting News Corporation : Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given the following Message on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Joliot-Curie Peace Medal Award to Bangabandhu :
“I am 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. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was dedicated to the cause of peace in his lifelong struggle. In his student life, he fearlessly rushed to rescue the helpless people facing danger, risking his own life during the horrific riots in Kolkata; while a young politician, he participated as a delegate in the first-ever Asia-Pacific Regional Peace Conference held in Beijing; in 1956, he participated in the World Peace Conference held in Stockholm. He was imprisoned for more than a decade during his quest for economic and political freedom for the people of Bangladesh. And after being released from a Pakistani prison in January 1972, he declared at his first press conference in London- ‘friendship with all and malice towards none’ as the core principle of peace, which was later adopted as the guiding principle of the foreign policy of newly independent Bangladesh. He always supported the freedom-seeking people of Asia, Africa, and Latin America and expressed unequivocal support for the oppressed. 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, his uncompromising stand in favor of global peace earned him the profound admiration of the masses around the world. 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. When the world is troubled by so many wars and conflicts at the present juncture, his acceptance of this award fifty years ago reminds us that there is no alternative to peace for the well-being of humankind. I extend my thanks to everyone involved in organizing the program 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.
Joi Bangla, Joi Bangabandhu
May Bangladesh Live Forever.”