India has named a Bangladeshi citizen for one of its highest civilian awards ‘Padma Shri’ on the occasion of its 64th Republic Day, being celebrated on 26th January, 2013. According to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Jharna Dhara Chowdhury, Secretary of the Gandhi Ashram Trust in Noakhali, is possibly the first Bangladeshi citizen to be named for the award. The Gandhi Ashram Trust is a philanthropic and development organisation working in Noakhali since 1946 with Gandhian philosophy of rural development.
She has been selected for the award for her ‘distinguished service in the field of Social Work’. The Award is a recognition of Chowdhury's long standing and selfless service to the people of Bangladesh, in particular of the Noakhali region. Chowdhury has been working there since her childhood and it is said that due to her endeavour, the trust flourished to work for the needy people of the region. In 2000, a museum was opened on the trust premises located in Begumganj.
Sayed Farrukh Ahmed
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Business & Economics
Daffodil International University
