Musical performances are highlights of the programme.Photo: STAR

Mymensingh Municipality has organised a five-day programme at the local gymnasium. The programme, titled 'Preservation of Heritage Sites and Planned Urbanisation' includes discussions, exhibition of posters featuring historical buildings and cultural shows, and will wrap up on December 10.
Bashonto Renu Shilpi Goshthi performed at the opening programme. Artistes of the group -- Indrajit Nandi, Abdun Noor Azad, Tumpa, Moumita and Rafiqul Islam -- rendered adhunik songs to an appreciative audience.
Baul artistes Dulal Sarker and Ahmed Sarker staged in a 'baul pala' titled “Hashar and Keyamat”. Both performers presented their arguments, which amused the audience.
Shamsun Nahar, Julhas Sarker, Habib, Farhad and Raj Kumar provided instrumental accompaniment on flute, harmonium, tabla and drums.
On the inaugural day, a discussion was held with Mayor (in charge) of Mymensingh Municipality, Md. Ekramul Haque in the chair. Among others, Public Prosecutor Advocate Wazedul Islam; President of District Transport Owners Association Momtaz Uddin and Aurzuna Kabir, vice-chairman of sadar upazila, spoke on the occasion.
Historic buildings bear the testimony of past, and if these edifices are lost, surely we will have nothing that refers to our roots, the speakers were of the view.
In developed countries, respective governments are working to preserve their archaeological sites to uphold this tangible aspect of history, they added.
If we could take proper steps 50 years ago, many of such sites in Mymensingh would have still existed, said the Mayor.