Indian cyclists in Bangladesh to pay homage to language heroes

An eight-members Indian cyclist team from West Bengal arrived in Bangladesh to pay homage to the language heroes on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.

This visit also aims to build cultural unity between the two countries, reports our Pabna correspondent.

The team reached Pabna last night and visited historic places in the district today. They started for Manikganj this afternoon.

The team is likely to reach Dhaka on February 19 by riding bicycles, said Shaibal Banerjee, who is leading the team and a teacher in India.

The team comprising six teachers and two local businessmen began their journey from Hooghly in West Bengal on February 14.

They entered Bangladesh through the Darshana border on February 15. Later they reached Pabna through Shilaidah Ghat.

"Although the barbed-wire fence divided the Bangla, we all are Bangalee. Despite the border, we speak in Bangla and we have the same passion and culture as the Bangladeshi people have," Shaibal Banerjee said.

"Like the people of Bangladesh, we are proud of the historic Language Movement, so we have started visiting Bangladesh riding bicycles to pay homage to the language heroes on the occasion of International Mother Language Day," he said.

Shaibal's wife Mohua Banerjee, also the lone female member of the team, said for the sake of environmental purity, they chose bicycles for this journey.

"During our visit, we are staying in different districts and talking to people and they are welcoming us," said Mohua.

"Through this visit, we are trying to build cultural unity between both countries," she added.