Jai Bangla

The People’s Republic of Bangladesh has emerged, after a valiant national liberation struggle, as a new nation on the Indian Sub-continent, new and yet old in the ways of culture and civilization. The people of India have stood steadfastly by the side of the people of Bangladesh, sharing in their trials and tribulations, and rejoicing in their successes and achievements. The friendship between Bangladesh and India is based on shared ideals and aspirations, good neighborliness, and mutual respect. These form a firm foundation for close cooperation in the future.

Bangladesh proclaimed its independence on the 26th of March 1971. Within a year, Bangladesh has given to itself a Constitution, which came into effect on the 16th of December, 1972, based on the principles of nationalism, socialism, democracy, and secularism, ideals to which India also subscribes. The 35 million voters of Bangladesh have recently participated in their first General Election under the new Constitution and registered their confidence in and support for the principles and policies of their leadership, under the inspiring guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. We rejoice with the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the inauguration of their first Parliament. The P & T Department considers it a privilege to bring out a stamp to commemorate this major landmark in the progress of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The stamp, designed and printed by the India Security Press, Nasik depicts the Flag and Map of Bangladesh, and its national flower, the SHAPLA.