Films to link Bangla, Assamese cultures: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud Thursday said films will link the culture of Bangla and Assamese and the Bangladesh Film Festival is a milestone to this end. The minister was addressing the inaugural function of the first Bangladesh Film Festival marking the golden jubilee of the Independence and birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at a hotel at Guwahati in Assam of India this evening.

Information and Broadcasting Ministry organised the festival with the assistance of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati, said a release received here.

Forests, Environment and Fisheries Minister of Assam Parimal Suklabaidya addressed the function as the guest of honour while wife of Assam chief minister Rinky Shorma Bhuiyan spoke as special guest.

Hasan said people of Bangladesh and Assam have many similarities in language, culture and traditions. The dresses of people are also similar, he added.

The minister hoped that the friendships among the people between the two countries and trade and communication in cultural arena will be increased under the initiatives of the governments of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

"I was only seven years old during our great Liberation War. The Cordial cooperation of India to the struggle of the Independence and the role of Indian Army had given courage to our Freedom Fighters. The relations between the two countries are written with blood," said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

Suklabaidya said Bangladesh achieved independence under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. "Though I'm Indian, but my grandmother has relation to Bangladesh. My predecessors got a world-renowned leader- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The name of Bangabandhu is ingrained in our minds," he added.

Rinky said the film festival in Guwahati is very significant as the neighbouring Bangladesh is celebrating the golden jubilee of the Independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Earlier, Hasan inaugurated Bangabandhu Corner at Assam Down Town University in Guwahati. University Chancellor NN Datta and vice chancellor Dr Narayan Chandra Talukder welcomed the minister.

The minister said, "We are very proud to establish the 'Bangabandhu Corner' at Assam Down Town University."

Earlier, Hasan also inaugurated Bangabandhu Corner at Bangladesh Assistant High Commission to Guwahati. Two sculptures of Bangabandhu made by two eminent sculptors Tuichindrai Joyanto and Jitumoni Baishya were also set up in the corner.

The minister also inaugurated a shop of traditional jamdani 'Anamika' in the commission.

Bangladesh lawmakers Mamtaj Begum and Saimum Sarwar Kamal, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Md Mokbul Hossain, press minister of Bangladesh High Commission to Delhi Saban Mahmud and Assistant High Commissioner to Guwahati Dr Shah Mohammad Tanvir Mansur, among others, addressed the function.

Actor Ferdows, actress Apu Biswas and singer Fakir Shahbuddin, among others, were present. A total of 36 films, including Hasina: A Daughter's Tale, Debi, Puthra, Satta, Guerrilla, Aguner Parashmani, Postmaster, 71 and Ratjaga Fhul were screened in the two-day festivals at Agartala and Guwahati, it added.