The day-long traditional Deuli Festival of the Hajong was held with enthusiasm at Durgapur in Netrakona on Friday, highlighting the cultural heritage of the national minority people.
The event took place on the grounds of Shyamnagar Government Primary School, organised by the National Minority Cultural Academy, Birisiri, Netrakona.
Speaking as chief guest at the festival, Barrister Kayser Kamal, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and BNP-nominated candidate for Durgapur-Kalmakanda constituency in the upcoming national election, described the region as a 鈥榖eautiful garden鈥� of diverse communities.
鈥楯ust as a garden has different types of flowers, here Hindus, Muslims, Garos and Hajongs each is a flower. I want to be the gardener of this blooming garden and work for its development. I am not just talking, I promise to act as a true gardener for the betterment of this region,鈥� said Kayser Kamal, who is also secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Lawyers Forum.
Kamal stressed the importance of improving agriculture, education, and establishing factories to uplift the living standards of the Hajong community and the people of Durgapur and Kalmakanda.
Speaking as special guest at the event, managing director and chief editor of the BSS Mahbub Morshed said that there was no politicisation in these festivals.
鈥楨veryone is now able to celebrate their own traditions freely. This is a big achievement for us after August 5. We can celebrate our events, religious and cultural festivals without political interference. Future governments should also uphold this trend, allowing the colours of our multicultural nation to flourish,鈥� he mentioned.
The event was inaugurated by community leader Motilal Hajong and chaired by poet Parag Richile, director of the cultural academy.
Among others present were Durgapur upazila assistant commissioner, land, Md Mizanur Rahman; educationist MA Jinnah; cultural activist Abdullah Al Mamun Mukul; Sandhya Rani Hajong, executive council member of the cultural academy; Paltan Hajong, president of the Bangladesh National Hajong Organisation; and Pratini Sajal Hajong of Shyamnagar village.
The festival concluded with a traditional cultural programme of the Hajong, featuring performances that depicted the killing of Mahishasura, symbolising the triumph of good over evil.
