Joliot-Curie Medal of Peace for Bangabandhu
Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was awarded the Joliot-Curie Medal for many important reasons. In order to keep the anti-fascist, anti-imperialist struggle forever in the history of world humanity, the World Peace Council awarded the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal on May 23, 1973. Bangabandhu played an outstanding role in the struggle against fascism and imperialism. He remains unforgettable for his anti-terrorist and anti-imperialist movements. He was devoted to establishing the rights of oppressed, downtrodden and helpless people of the world. He had immense love for children. He worked tirelessly to establish Bengali language and social and cultural rights of the Bengali nation. He was a non-communal leader.
The receipt of the Joliot-Curie Medal by Bangabandhu was a rare honour. It was a historic achievement. Through this achievement, Bangladesh has become one of the most respected nations in the world. It will not be our duty to treat it a mere award as listed. It will be our duty to make it more significant by organizing seminars and workshops. Moreover, the day needs to be declared as a Peace Day of our nation and according we may observe the day.
The prestige and honor of the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal cannot be understated. We all should work sincerely in this matter. Only then Bangladesh will be a peaceful and happy prosperous nation in the future. The glory and pride of the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal should cherish our hearts. Bangladesh will be considered as a developed country free from hunger and poverty in the next 2030 and by 2040, our country will be in the position of developed world.
Our young society must understand the history of the language movement of 1952 and the essence of the 6-point movement of 1966. The mass movement of 1969 must be understood, the freedom war of 1971 must be understood. We must know about the brutal murders of 1975 and must understand the behavior of neighboring countries. Apart from this, having knowledge of information and technology, we should understand the modern world. Above all, we have to work with the dream of establishing a happy, prosperous Bangladesh by creating a society free from terrorism and corruption. Only then the image and dignity of Bangladesh will be established in the world and the prestigious aspect of the Joliot-Curie Medal, owed to the Father of the Nation, will remain intact.
To fulfill this expectation, the next generation must be dream-oriented and work hard to fulfill their dreams. Then the soul of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will get happiness and he will get immortality. Above all, this historical achievement of Bangabandhu is an unforgettable milestone in the leading role in world peace, which will always inspire the next generation to play a role in world peace and create digital Bangladesh.
On the occasion of the medal presentation ceremony Ramesh Chandra, the then secretary general of world peace council said, “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib is not only Bangabandhu, he is also a World Friend from today.” On receiving the Biswabandhu honor at the event, Bangabandhu said, ‘This honor is not for any individual. This honor is given to the martyrs who sacrificed themselves in the freedom struggle of Bangladesh, the brave soldiers of the freedom struggle.
Apart from Bangabandhu, India’s first Prime Jawaharlal Nehru, Cuba’s Fidel Castro, Chile’s Sarve Allende, Palestine’s Yasser Arafat, Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, India’s former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, poet and politician Pablo Neruda have received this rare honor. The 23rd May, 2023 was the golden jubilee ceremony of Father of the Nation’s receiving the Julio Currie Peace Prize.
Again another world peace medal needs to be introduced in honor of struggle for peace by Bangabandhu. Bangladesh introduced the Bangabandhu Peace Medal nationally in 2016 by the proposal of Joliot-Curie Bangabandhu peace Sangsad, a research-based institution. Since the introduction of the medal, this organization has been awarding the Bangabandhu Peace Medal every year to the eminent patriot of the nation for playing a leading role in peace and humanity. It may be mentioned that Joliot-Curie Bangabandhu Peace Sangsad is regularly publishing a magazine titled ‘Our Joliot-Curie Bangabandhu’. Though the name does not denote any clear conception and its identification also falls into a problem of doubt. Question may arise on the point of inserting ‘Bangabandhu’ title after Joliot-Curie.
Bangabandhu is treated and compered with Joliot-Curie in this sub-continent. Especially he is like Joliot-Curie to the Bengalis and even to the world community. We want peace, we are for peace and we are for chain of humanity order. We can say that, it is for the fulfillment of the times’ demand that the world council may extend its cordial hands and cooperation to make another history in the world. In order to have this prestigious honor, we need to explore research work in this connection and to spread the impact of humanity and peace relevant activities worldwide.
Once the impact start producing healthy atmosphere of peace nationally, then it will start spreading its fragrances to the outside world. However, we are hopeful of getting the recognition of Bangabandhu World Peace Medal someday if not today.
(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP).
