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Visiting Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday inaugurated the newly refurbished building of Ramna Kali Mandir in the capital.
He inaugurated the renovated building this morning by unveiling a plaque. The Indian president also offered puja at the temple.
He also exchanged greetings with the invited guests, the temple committee members, representatives of Hindu community and the devotees.
The Indian President along with first lady Shrimati Savita Kovind and their daughter Swathi Kovind reached the Ramna Kali Mandir around 10.30 am.
State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan received the Indian president at the temple. Kovind was welcomed at the temple by blowing of conch-shell as per the Hindu ritual on the occasion.
After the inauguration, the Indian President along with his wife and daughter offered puja at the temple. From there he returned to hotel.
Earlier, Ramna Kali Mandir’s executive committee President Utpal Saha said Sri Sri Ramna Kali Mandir and Srima Anandamayi Ashram was completely destroyed by the Pakistani forces during heinous Operation Searchlight in 1971.
The renovation comes 50 years after the independence of Bangladesh as none who came in power after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman took any initiative for renovation.
Wrap up three-day visit
Indian President also wrapped up his three-day state visit to Bangladesh on Friday that saw a slew of announcements.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen saw him off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:40pm, an official said. At 1:06pm, the special Air India flight carrying the President and his entourage departed.
The visit was of “historical significance”, given the 50th anniversary of the shared sacrifices of the people of the two countries during Bangladesh’s struggle for liberation in 1971.
This was the Indian President’s maiden visit to Bangladesh and also his first visit overseas since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Subhas Sarkar, Minister of State for Education, and Rajdeep Roy, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) were part of the presidential delegation.
In March this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too paid a landmark state visit to Bangladesh.
The key announcements made during the President’s visit included gifting of the Bangabandhu-Bapu Digital Exhibition to the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka; announcement of the first occupant of the Bangabandhu Chair at Delhi University; and extension of the Nutan India-Bangladesh Maitree Muktijoddha Sontan Scholarship Scheme for five years.
A 1971-era MiG-21 aircraft was gifted to the National Museum of Bangladesh. A replica of the aircraft was also handed over by the Indian President to his Bangladeshi counterpart.
President Kovind commenced his visit by paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar.
He also paid his respects to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum.
On December 15, the President held delegation level talks with President Abdul Hamid, wherein both sides took stock of the progress in bilateral relations and discussed ways to further deepen cooperation for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
On December 16, the President attended the Victory Day parade in Dhaka as the guest of honour. A 122-member tri-service contingent of the Indian Armed Forces also participated in the parade.
In the evening, the President delivered an address at a special event held to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh and culmination of “Mujib Borsho” at the South Plaza of the Bangladesh Parliament in the presence of President Hamid and Prime Minister of Bangladesh and other dignitaries.
India’s relationship with Bangladesh is one of the main pillars of its ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East Policies’, said Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
