INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (17) paid tributes to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary and hailed his contributions towards Bangladesh's progress.
Modi has participated in the centenary celebrations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bangladesh via video link.
The year-long celebrations were scheduled to open amid festivities at the National Parade Ground in Dhaka on March 17 and were expected to be attended by several foreign dignitaries, including Modi.
Later, it was decided to carry out celebrations without any public gatherings due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
"Tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his birth anniversary. He is remembered for his courage and indelible contribution to Bangladesh's progress,” Modi said.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman served as the first president of Bangladesh and later as the prime minister of Bangladesh from April 17, 1971, until his assassination on August 15, 1975.
He is considered to be the driving force behind the independence of Bangladesh and has been given the title of "Bangabandhu" (Friend of Bengal).
His daughter, Sheikh Hasina, is the current prime minister of Bangladesh.
A protestor is detained by the police during a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese Embassy, outside Royal Mint Court, in London. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso. 
