State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid MP said, "Cultural heritage flows through the retention, nurture and practice of culture. With this in view, the present culture-friendly government is working for the preservation, care, development and advancement of the national culture as well as the cultural heritage of the small ethnic groups”.
The state minister made the remark while virtually speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of two day long ‘Garo Traditional Wangala Festival-2021’. The inauguration was organised by Ethnic Cultural Academy, Birishiri, Netrakona.
The State Minister added, at present there are 7 small ethnic cultural institutions under the Ministry of Culture. Through Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the construction work of 3 new cultural institutions of small ethnic groups (Haluaghat in Mymensing, Naogaon and Dinajpur) has already been completed.
and the manpower structure is in the process of being created.
The chief guest said Wangala is the main religious and agricultural festival of the Garo community. It is basically a celebration of thanksgiving and gratitude to the gods and goddesses.
The state minister for culture said that although the Garos are nature worshipers, a large section of the population has recently converted to Christianity, which is why the Wangala festival is not celebrated as grandly as before. He drew attention of the academy director to this matter and directed him to prepare a work plan for various cultural events throughout the year.
The State Minister for Culture said the present government's various pro-people programmes have resulted in many improvements in the quality of life, including increasing the education rate of various small ethnic groups as well as the Garos. The State Minister wished the Garo community happiness, peace and prosperity in their future lives on the occasion.
Secretary of the Ministry of Culture M Badrul Arefin and Netrakona Superintendent of Police Md Akbar Ali Munshi spoke at the time as special guest while, President of the Executive Council of the Ethnic Cultural Academy and Netrokona Deputy Commissioner Kazi Md. Abdur Rahman presided over the function.
Poet Mithun Raksam read a essay on the occasion. General Secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum and eminent columnist Sanjeev Drong spoke as the chief discusser. Welcoming remarks were made by Ethnic Cultural Academy Director Sujan Hajong. Netrokona’s Durgapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mohammad Rajib Ul Ahsan delivered the welcome address at the time.
