HPM Sheikh Hasina receives Dr. Kalam Excellence Award

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received the “Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award-2019”, constituted to disseminate the ideals and teachings of noted scientist and former Indian president Dr APJ. Abdul Kalam.

Chief Adviser of the Dr Kalam Smriti International Advisory Council Ambassador TP Sreenivasan handed over the international accolade through a ceremony at the Prime Minister's Office in Dhaka on Monday.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abul Momen was present at the time.

The award is conferred upon Sheikh Hasina in recognition of her commitment to a close and mutually satisfying India-Bangladesh relation, welfare of her people, particularly women and children, and international peace and cooperation.

Addressing the function, Sheikh Hasina dedicated the award to the people of Bangladesh. "You have honoured me which means you have honoured the people of Bangladesh.

"This award will certainly inspire me and my government to strive for the achievement of greater inclusive development for my people while keeping in mind the need to ensure the conservation and protection of our natural ecosystems."

The prime minister extended her sincere thanks to the organizers for conferring upon her the award.

She also congratulated the past recipients of the award in recognition of their works towards attaining sustainable development for their respective countries and for the globe as a whole.

Chairperson of the Dr Kalam Smriti International Deena Das read out the citation.

The citation read: "Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Award, instituted in the name of outstanding scientist and visionary statesman Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is presented to Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, an architect of modern Bangladesh rapidly progressing towards being "Sonar Bangla" (Golden Bengal), as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."

The citation further said Dr Kalam as the president of India and Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister of Bangladesh fostered cooperation between India and Bangladesh and worked together for a prosperous world free from poverty, hunger and illiteracy.

"They share a common vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Asia, free of tension, conflicts and terrorism. The common values of freedom from oppression brought the two peoples together in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, which guides us even today," the citation states.

It notes that the award is a testimony to the contribution made by Sheikh Hasina to the common good of mankind, which was a cherished dream of Dr Abdul Kalam, who said: "Dream is not that which we see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep."

At the function, the visiting team of Dr Kalam Smriti International presented Kerala traditional saree and ponnada (cloth) as well as Kalam logo to the prime minister.

The presidents of the Maldives, Ghana and Mauritius earlier received the prestigious award since its introduction in 2015.

Dr Kalam Smriti International Excellence Awards is given to honour presidents, statesmen or leaders, who have shown excellence in their field and have shown great visions to achieve the best for their country.