Welcome Prof Yunus

Prof Yunus has had the rare distinction and honour of being the first ever Nobel prize winner to receive the prize in presence of the Norwegian Royalty. President Jacques Chirac of France also hosted a reception in his honour while Tony Blair of Britain and his wife received Yunus and his delegation with great warmth.

The reception that Dr Yunus received in a foreign land was unique in more ways than one. It was also significant for the fact that for the first time the culture of Bangladesh was presented in the presence of an audience that is globally respected and recognised. To add to it Yunus spoke in Bangla to intersperse with his main speech delivered in English.

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At the backdrop of all this we are somewhat saddened by the fact that Dr Yunus' triumphant return could have been better celebrated and shared by the nation and the people at large had there not been the tumultuous politics that we have been witnessing in our midst. This has been a distraction. That the welcome ceremony was organised by Grameen Bank and not on a bigger scale, in a way bore testimony to this fact.

We must learn to pay our respects and express our gratitude to our national hero. We owe it to ourselves.