“Poush Toder Dak Diyechhe, Ayre Chole Aye” (Poush has called you, come, come, come)- with the call of poet Rabindranath Tagore by one of his songs, the premises of Lalmatiya Housing Society School and College in the capital Dhaka got a festive look on Wednesday.
‘Poush Utsob’ is one of the traditional cultural festivals of the Bengalis.
The event was organised by Surer Dhara, a music school, founded by prominent Rabindra music artiste Rezwana Choudhury Bannya. The 'Poush Utsob' was celebrated through various programmes.
Children and students of ‘Surer Dhara’ welcomed the Poush, a month of Bengali calendar, with songs and dances. Besides, a fair of Bengali pithas (cake) and handicrafts was organised there.
The programme held in the afternoon was attended by a large number of children, their guardians and students of the 'Surer Dhara. Huge number of local people also gathered there to enjoy the festival.
Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen was present as the chief guest in the programme. He inaugurated the ‘Poush Utsob’ by illuminating lamps.
Before the inauguration of the ‘Poush Utsob’ Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen thanked the organisers of the festival for highlighting the tradition and culture of Bangladesh and Bengalis.
In his speech, the Foreign Minister said, “We want to brand Bangladesh as a progressive country. Cultural activists can play a vital role in this regard.”
“All Bengali festivals are the symbol of unity. These festivals of Bengal increase our brotherhood. Such arrangements should be spread all over the country as well as worldwide”, he said.
Meanwhile, at the end of the function, while departing the fair place, the Foreign Minister also talked on the Rohingya issue.
On the Rohingya repatriation issue, he said, a Foreign Secretary level meeting between Bangladesh, Myanmar and China is scheduled to be held in Dhaka on January 19.
“The meeting will discuss about Rohingya repatriation. We are hopeful of that the meeting will be successful”, he said.
Prominent Rabindra music artiste Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, also the principal of ‘Surer Dhara’ and Professor Shafi Ahmed, among others, were present at the function.
