Dhaka, Oct 19: A retired Indian Colonel, who rescued Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and some other members of her family from captivity of Pakistani troops in 1971, is among 61 foreigners set to be honoured by Bangladesh for their outstanding contribution to its Liberation War.
Colonel (Retd) Ashok Tara, several other veterans of the 1971 war as well as politicians, journalists, artistes, diplomats and civil society figures of different countries are among the 61 "foreign friends" who would be honoured on October 20, Bangladesh's Additional Foreign Secretary Mostafa Kamal told PTI.
They will be conferred with "Muktijuddho Maitry Sanmanana" at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre, he said.
70-year-old Tara is a well-known veteran who took part in and survived several deadly battles with Pakistani troops.
The retired Indian Colonel, who was a Major at that time, however, is more known for his role in rescuing Hasina, her mother Begum Fajilatunnesa Mujib, sister Sheikh Rehana and brother Sheikh Rasel from captivity of Pakistani troops at a house at the fag end of the 1971 Liberation War.
The list of 61 recipients, who confirmed their arrival, was not disclosed but officials familiar with the process said most of them were from India.
In most cases their relatives or representatives would receive the honour as many of the foreign friends could not come because of old age and several
of them had already passed away.
President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would ceremonially hand them over the awards at the third such ceremony. The government had earlier decided to gradually honour the foreign friends across the world in phases.
Late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was the first "foreign friend" to be conferred with the honour.
Her daughter-in-law and Congress President Sonia Gandhi received the honour on her behalf last year.
