At this moment, 28 veteran freedom fighters of Bangladesh are being treated at two top army hospitals in India by the Indian government. This has established a rare humanitarian bridge between the two countries.
Last April, when prime-minister Sheikh Hasina went to India, she handed crests and assistance to Indian soldiers killed during Bangladesh’s liberation war.
At that time, the Indian PM also pledged that India would bear the expenses of 100 freedom fighters who are now senior citizens.
Those who are taking treatment are between sixty and seventy. Many are suffering from heart ailments, diabetes or prostate ailments.
Of the twenty eight, 13 are receiving treatment at the Delhi Army Hospital while the remaining 15 are being treated at the Pune Army Hospital.
On 25 December last, Bangladesh high commissioner to Delhi, Syed Moazzem Ali, went to Delhi to meet freedom fighters.
The veteran freedom fighters said they were very happy with the treatment.
High commissioner Ali said: “I was also part of the freedom struggle and everyone from the foreign ministry of Bangladesh have lauded the generous move by India.”
Indian government officials say that through this initiative, historic relation between the two states will be taken to a new height.