NEW DELHI, March 13 � Composer and singer Dr Bhupen Hazarika is among 129 eminent foreign nationals to be honoured by Bangladesh for their role in the independence struggle during the War of Liberation in 1971.
Besides the late balladeer, Chief Minister of Tripura Manik Sarkar, former Chief Minister Sachindra Lal Singh and Biva Kumari Devi of the State would be conferred �Bangladesh Freedom Honour� for their outstanding contributions in the 1971 Liberation War.
They would be awarded at a ceremonial reception at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on March 27. Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the medals, crests and citations among the distinguished awardees, sources said.
Considered one of the most popular singers in the neighbouring country, the icon�s song �Jai Jai Nabojato Bangladesh, Jai Jai Mukti Bahini� still touches an emotional chord in the country. �Ganga Amar Maa, Padma Amar Maa� is another all-time popular song.
It is, however, Dr Hazarika�s all-time popular, hit �Manush manusher jonnai that has been adjudged the second most loved song after Bangladesh�s national anthem, �Amar sonar Bangla�.
The other Indian awardees include Mother Teresa, Sardar Swaran Singh, incumbent, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Lata Mangeshkar, Siddharta Sanker Roy, Justice Saadat Abul Masud, Maharani Biva Kumari Devi, Samar Sen, Devdulal Bandhopaddaya, Wahida Rehman, Sunil Dutta, Nargis Dutta, Jyoti Basu, Gouriprasanna Majumder, Annadasanker Roy, Jagjivan Ram, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, Lt General (retd) Jagjit Singh Arora, Lt. General Jacob, DP Dhar, General Uban, Golak Majumder, etc,.
