"His work has given us the confidence that even the people of a developing country like Bangladesh can do a lot," Khan said.

"You (Yunus) have shown the path. Thanks to your sleepless nights and tireless efforts for decades to realise your dreams of removing people from poverty, the hapless people of Bangladesh are now at the center of the international attention. This is all due to your efforts, all due to the microcredit scheme."

"You have made the country and people proud and have boosted our confidence. It has just skyrocketted," Khan said.

Bangladeshi-American kids singing a welcome song to honour Dr Muhammad Yunus at the event in New York on November 17.