Today is the 50th anniversary of Joliot-Curie award to Bangabandhu

The golden jubilee of the conferment of the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be celebrated nationally today.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of the Bengali nation-state and the architect of independence, the forerunner of democracy and peace movement, was awarded the Julio-Curie Peace Prize by the World Peace Council on May 23, 1973.

To commemorate the contributions of world-renowned scientists Marie Curie and Pierre Curie to the struggle for world peace, the World Peace Council has been awarding Julio Curie Peace Prize to distinguished individuals and organisations since 1950 for outstanding contribution to the fight against fascism, anti-imperialism, humanitarian welfare and peace.

World leaders like Fidel Castro, Ho Chi Minh, Yasser Arafat, Salvador Allende, Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi, Mother Teresa, poet and politician Pablo Neruda, Jawaharlal Nehru, Martin Luther King and Leonid Brezhnev were awarded the prize.

The peace prize of the World Peace Council was an international recognition of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for his contribution to the establishment of world peace.

The Julio-Curio Peace Prize award was the first ever international award for Bangladesh. 

As a result of this great achievement, the Father of the Nation turned into Vishwabandhu from Bangabandhu.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Joliot-Curie Peace Medal Award to Bangabandhu.

In his message, the President said Bangabandhu's whole life was dedicated to the quest for peace and freedom. 

That is why, after receiving this medal at the World Peace Conference held on 23 May 1973, Bangabandhu could rightly declare during his acceptance speech that establishing peace was the mission of his life, said Mohammed Shahabuddin. 

"His clarion call for freedom not only included political independence but also the dream of peace for the exploited, deprived and repressed people of Bangladesh," he said. 

The President said during his long political career, Bangabandhu always supported the peace-loving people at home and abroad and stood beside them. 

"His philosophy of peace is still equally relevant in the present global context and inspire us," he said. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the beloved 'Bangabandhu' and 'Father of the Nation' by ensuring the self-determination and independence of the people of Bangladesh. 

Similarly, Bangabandhu's uncompromising stand in favor of global peace earned him the profound admiration of the masses around the world, she said. 

The premier said that the World Peace Council awarded Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman their highest prize- the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal- for his commendable contributions to global peace and freedom. 

That inclusion of the name 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib' on the same list as that of other globally renowned recipients of this award like Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro, Jawaharlal Nehru, Gamal Abdel Nasser, Pablo Neruda, Martin Luther King, Yasser Arafat, Leonid Brezhnev once again demonstrated the high esteem with which the global community honored and respected our Father of the Nation, she said. 

"When the world is troubled by so many wars and conflicts at the present juncture, his acceptance of this award 50 years ago reminds us that there is no alternative to peace for the well-being of humankind," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said: "I'm happy to learn that many programs were scheduled, and a souvenir book will be published by the Cabinet Division to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the conferment of the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."

She extended her thanks to everyone involved in organising the programme for celebrating the Golden Jubilee of the award of the Joliot-Curie Peace Medal to Bangabandhu, including those who worked to publish this booklet.

"I believe that this will be beneficial for learning more about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib-- the immortal exponent of global peace," she said.