ADIEU, Padma Shri RAGHU RAI

A most distinguished FRIEND OF BANGLADESH

To many, Mr Rai remains a towering figure in the world of photography, dubbed as the father of photography in India.

In Bangladesh, to many across generations, he is a giant-of-a-man in the world of photography art aesthetics as also a source of inspiration in creativity.

He stands immortalized for the images he captured during the War of Liberation of Bangladesh. In August 1971, as a 29-year-old photo-journalist in The Statesman (Kolkata Bureau), Raghu Rai entered Bangladesh to cover War. He got moved by the horrific accounts, having witnessed intense suffering - agony of and brutality meted to people in battlefield - villages - Refugee Camps. So passionate he got that risked his life even as he kept clicking braving splinters in the line of fire.

As he narrated afterwards, what he saw on-the-ground reminded him of his very childhood when his family had to cross over to India (1947) braving so much of uncertainties. In 1972, Govt. awarded young Raghu Rai 'Padma Shri' for his epochal photography on War.

On 24 March 2013, Government bestowed him the FRIEND OF BANGLADESH War award. The Citation reads:

"During the Liberation War, Shri Raghu Rai, PadmaShree, as s photojournslist of Daily Statesman, captured and printed numerous pictures of the battle fronts and refugee camps. His photo exhibitions held in 1971 reflected the miserable condition of the refugee camps. He also took rare snapshots of the surrender ceremony of Pakistan Army in December 1971. In 1972, the Government of #India awarded him Padmashree in recognition of his contribution.

For his remarkable support and contribution, Shri Raghu Rai is awarded Friends of Liberation War Honour."

Each time he had visited Bangladesh, many were struck by his empathy, modesty and an exceptional regard for Bangladesh and her people.

RIP, Raghu Rai.