Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Delhi University on Monday signed an MoU to set up ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ at the university to honour Father of the Nation and the greatest Bengali of all times Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The decision for establishing the chair was taken during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh in March 2021. The development, however, coincides with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and Bangladesh-India diplomatic relations. Director General of ICCR Dinesh K Patnaik and Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University Prof PC Joshi signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides at a ceremony at ICCR in Azad Bhavan in New Delhi in the evening. READ: Bangabandhu Chair to be established at Delhi University President of ICCR Vinay Sahasrabuddhe and Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran witnessed the signing ceremony when senior officials of the mission and Indian Ministry of External Affairs were present. Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla sent a message on the occasion. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami joined the programme virtually from Dhaka. As per the MoU, a foreign visiting professor or a subject expert on Bangladesh is likely to be a person of Bangladeshi origin who will be occupying the “chair”. The key focus of establishment of the chair will be on the shared cultural heritage of India and Bangladesh with subjects like Anthropology, Buddhist Studies, Geography, History, Music, Fine Arts and Political Science. Speaking on the occasion, the ICCR President said: “We’re proud to establish ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ at Delhi University in memory of an undisputed leader like Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Muhammad Imran said there is no doubt that the establishment of ‘Bangabandhu Chair’ is a timely initiative. “I hope that it will immensely contribute to broaden our scope for intellectual and academic exchanges and intensify people to people contact. It would hopefully bridge the gap of information about today’s Bangladesh and her people – the unique history, determination and struggle for emancipation and independence, the recent economic achievements, the emerging soft power, the secular ideology, and overall future of the country,” he said. He said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is one of the most iconic 20th century politicians of the world. “We believe the coming generations would continue to find Bangabandhu, a towering personality, with rock solid determination like Himalayas, as compared by Fidel Castro to describe him. READ: Bangabandhu Chair to be established in University of Brasilia in Mujib Year Bangladesh and India are enjoying excellent bilateral relations which have reached an unprecedented height under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. “We will be doing a lot but we wanted to start with an important country and what more could be important than Bangladesh particularly this year when we are celebrating 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh, 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.” said Mr. Dinesh K. Patnaik, Director General, ICCR. “I am sure that this very important innovation catalyzes further sharing of knowledge and understanding, future growth of ties among institutions and more common face of work, I hope that we find the distinguished occupant for the chair at the earliest.” stated Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary, MEA in his speech. "It is a historical moment to host this first-ever Bangabandhu chair, who was an ideal hero for all of us and was a symbol of liberty, democracy, and freedom," said, Prof PC Joshi, Acting VC, University of Delhi “We will work closely with ICCR and Delhi University to ensure that all sides are satisfied with the selection of candidates that we hope to find.” said Mr. Vikram Doraiswami, High Commission of India Dhaka. READ: Bangabandhu Chair to be established in University of Brasilia in Mujib Year “This chair is the celebration of commonality in our world view, we stand for peace, fraternity, and equal respect to all belief systems," said Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President ICCR.

India has announced the establishment of Bangabandhu Chair at the University of Delhi. In view of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Bangladesh as well as the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, both sides have agreed to jointly commemorate these epochal events in 19 select countries. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked the Indian side for considering Bangladesh’s proposal to name the historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nadia on the Bangladesh-India border as "Shadhinota Shorok” commemorating the historic significance of the road during Bangladesh’s Liberation War. Also read: Bangabandhu chair to be established at RU in Mujib Borsho Both sides looked forward to inaugurating the road soon as part of the joint celebrations, according to joint statement. The Bangladesh side welcomed the decision of the government of India to announce 1000 “Shuborno Jayanti Scholarships” for Bangladeshi students for pursuing education/courses in India. The two countries noted with satisfaction that the filming of the biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, under the direction of Indian film director Shyam Benegal, has commenced and is expected to be completed according to schedule. Also read:  Bangabandhu Chair to be established in University of Brasilia in Mujib Year Both sides stressed on the need to commence work on the Liberation War documentary at the earliest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India in 2022 in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of diplomatic relations. To mark the 50th anniversary of India-Bangladesh friendship, both sides released respective commemorative postage stamps. It was decided to commemorate 06 December as Maitri Diwas, the day when India recognized Bangladesh in the year 1971. Also read: Establishment of Bangabandhu Chair proposed in Netherlands Indian Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to 50 young entrepreneurs from Bangladesh to visit India to connect with the start up and innovation ecosystems in India and meet the venture capitalists.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has suspended the Vice Chancellor of the country's prestigious Delhi University, following allegations of "misconduct" and "dereliction of duty" against him.