International Indigenous Day celebrated
A painting competition was held marking Int'l Day of the World's Indigenous People at the corridor of Mymensingh Town Hall on Saturday. A total of 33 students of different educational institutions took part in the competition in two groups – to sketch pictures on “The trees of the forest and animals” and “Homestead of Indigenous People”.
Sekendra Snal, convener of the competition, inaugurated it while its member secretary Lina Jambil delivered the welcome speech.
A cultural function participated by indigenous artistes was also held at Town Hall premises in the afternoon, as part of its daylong programme taken by International Indigenous Day Celebration Committee Mymensingh unit, with the theme“Bridging the Gap: Implementing the Rights of Indigenous People”.
Artistes of Tribal Welfare Association, Garo Chhatra Union, Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Sangathan, Hajong Chhatra Sangathan and Acchik Women Association performed at the cultural programme that included rendition of indigenous songs and performance of dance sequences.
Wearing traditional dresses and holding musical instruments, the indigenous people belonging to garo, hajong, cooch, banai, dalu, khatriya, hodi and mandai from Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Tangail and Netrokona joined the programme in hundreds.
Member secretary of the celebration committee, Aranya E. Chiran presented the cultural programme. A colourful rally was also brought out that paraded the main thoroughfares of the town.
Earlier, the garo people formed a human chain in front of Mymensingh Press Club Saturday morning. Later a discussion was held at Town Hall premises in the afternoon. Ekramul Haque Titu, mayor of Mymensingh municipality was the chief guest at the event.
The guests later distributed prizes among the winners of the painting competition.
Mintu Deshwara, back from Borolekha
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Indigenous artistes enthralled a huge audience at a cultural show held at the auditorium of municipal in Borolekha Upazila in the Moulvibazar on Saturday. The event was organised marking the International Day for Indigenous People.
The rendition of indigenous songs and dance sequences with traditional songs entertained the packed hall.
Organisations working for indigenous people in Adibasi Udjapon Commitee-2014, Kulaura and Borolekha undertook elaborate daylong programmes to mark the day.
KUBORAZ Inter Punjee Development Association, Caritas ICDP and Indigenous people development services(IPDS) bodies jointly hosted the event on the theme -- “Bridging the gap: Implementing the rights of Indigenous Peoples” in Borolekha municipal Hall room.
Some seven hundreds indigenous people from Moulvibazar area attended the programme, dressed in traditional attire.
Chief guest Rafiqul Islam Sundar, Upazila chairman of the Borolekha Upazila and special guest Borolekha Upazila vice chairman Bibekananda Das addressed the discussion. Acting president of KUBORAJ Pratush Asakra presided over the event.
The speakers said according to the ILO Convention, indigenous cultural heritage should be preserved for cultural diversity of the country. The government should take initiatives towards this end, they added. They also urged indigenous people, especially the younger generation, to preserve their unique culture and traditions.
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