Sharmistha Mukherjee, daughter of late Indian president Pranab Mukherjee, has described Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as her guardian. "She (PM Sheikh Hasina) would always say that my father (Pranab Mukherjee) was like a guardian to her family. Now in his absence, she (PM Hasina) is being the same for me," she tweeted after she met with Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. Read: Bangabandhu as revered in India as he is in Bangladesh: Jaishankar Sharmistha also mentioned the long association between the two families.  May God grant her (PM Hasina) a long and healthy life, she said. Sheikh Hasina is now in India on a four-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.  The prime minister is scheduled to return home Thursday. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday hailed Pranab Mukherjee as an inspiration saying that his death has created a vacuum both in the intellectual as well as political arenas of this subcontinent. “He would remain as an inspiration for the coming generations of our region. We would remember him for his support and love for Bangladesh,” she said. Hasina said this in a video message on the occasion of First Pranab Mukherjee Memorial Lecture (Virtual) organised by ‘Pranab Mukherjee Legacy Foundation’ on a virtual platform. It is hard to pass a year without Pranab Mukherjee, said Hasina, adding, “He was a true friend of Bangladesh and a great political icon of the subcontinent. I pay my deep homage to the memory of this towering personality on his death anniversary.” She mentioned that Pranab Mukherjee had deep love for Bangladesh. “His contribution to our great Liberation War would never be forgotten.” Also read: Late Pranab Mukherjee's fond recollections of ties to Bangladesh As a young MP, Hasina recalled, he took bold initiatives to support and table a motion in Rajya Sabha in June 1971 for the recognition of Bangladesh. “The people of Bangladesh gratefully remember his support. Pranab Mukherjee had enormous respect and deep regards for our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,” she added. The Prime Minister said as he had been given ‘Bharat Ratna’ in recognition of his contribution by the government of India, it was the honour for Bangladesh to confer the prestigious Muktijuddho Sammanona (Liberation War Honour) up on him in 2013 for his invaluable contributions to Bangladesh’s Liberation War. “Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee had a colourful political career and he was known for his extraordinary wisdom, farsightedness and visionary leadership,” she mentioned. Also read: PM describes Pranab Mukherjee as ‘true friend’ of Bangladesh With his versatile talents, Hasina said, Pranab Mukherjee efficiently managed important ministries like Finance, Defence and External Affairs of the government of India. “His extraordinary qualities eventually led him to become the first citizen of the country and the first Bangalee President of India.” The Prime Minister said she had close personal relations and very fond memories with him and his wife Shubra Mukerjee, who was from Bangladesh. “Pranab dada and Shubra didi had deep affection for me and my sister Rehana. They remained beside us as guardians and family friends during our difficult days in India after the assassination of my parents along with 18 other close family members on the 15th August 1975.” She said the demise of Pranab Mukherjee was a personal loss for her and her family, and she will continue to miss him and his affection. The lecture was delivered by Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu. This Lecture is an event to commemorate the First Death Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Pranab Mukherjee and begin the Foundation's journey dedicated to the cause of taking his legacy forward.

In June 1971, a young Member of Parliament stood up to initiate a discussion, calling for the Government of India to accord diplomatic recognition to the Bangladesh government-in exile based in the Bangladeshi town of Mujibnagar that functioned as the provisional government, while its leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was in a Karachi prison.

Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday condoled the demise of former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee at a special meeting.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen paid last respects to former President of India Pranab Mukherjee at the Indian High Commission here on Wednesday and signed the condolence book.

The residents of Narail mourned the death of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee as he was married to Suvra Mukerjee hailing from the district.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Pranab Mukherjee assumed office as the 13th President of India on July 25, 2012, crowning a political career of over five decades of exemplary service to the nation in Government as well as Parliament.

The government has announced one- day national mourning on Wednesday (September 2) in honour of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. The national flag will be flown half-mast on the day, said a handout of Press Information Department(PID).

BNP on Monday expressed deep shock at the death of former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee, saying he always saw Bangladesh with affection.