Delhi to Dhaka: Bridging distance with friendship

* The Bangladesh leg of the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition was inaugurated by the two Prime Ministers. This exhibition will be taken to other parts of the world – to about 19 countries, including the United Nations.

* Inauguration of the extended development work of Rabindra Bhawan Kuthibari at Shilaidaha, Kushtia.

* Foundation stone laid for infrastructure development for power evacuation facilities of Rooppur nuclear power plant.

* Inauguration of three border haats.

* Launch of an India-Bangladesh friendship stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of establishment of India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations.

* Cooperation against the pandemic: Gift of 1.2 million Covid-19 vaccine doses. Bangladesh is the largest foreign recipient of India-made Covid-19 vaccines – 10.2 million doses have been delivered by India, including 3.2 million as gift.

* 109 life-support ambulances gifted to Bangladesh to support the neighbouring country’s health infrastructure.

* Mitali Express: A new train service to link Dhaka Cantt with New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal announced.

* Start-Up Conclave of India and Bangladesh entrepreneurs announced. Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited 50 young Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to India to connect with the country’s start-up ecosystem.

* Connecting through education: One thousand Subarno Jayanti scholarships to Bangladeshi students for undergraduate and post-graduate programmes in India announced.

* Increased mutual understanding: Bangabandhu Chair at the Delhi University to facilitate Bangladesh studies announced.

Prime Minister Modi visited the historic Jashoreshwari Temple in Shyamnagar, Satkhira. He announced that India will build a community hall-cum-cyclone shelter under grant funding of GoI at Shyamnagar.

* At Orakandi, PM Modi announced that India will build a primary school for children and upgrade a middle school for girls under the Indian government’s funding.

* Marking “commitment of friendship”: December 6, the day India recognised Bangladesh as an independent nation, to be celebrated as Maitree Diwas — India was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh.

* To commemorate 50th year of liberation of Bangladesh and 75th year of India’s independence, ‘Best of India, Best of Bangladesh Exhibition’ and business meet will be held.

* India will participate in the first ever air show to be held in Bangladesh in 2022.

* India will donate military equipment used by Indian forces in the Bangladesh’s liberation for use in museums in that country.

– Shubhajit Roy