Bangladesh, India eyeing two mega events next month

Bangladesh and India are working together, eyeing two mega events next month -- Maitri Diwas and Victory Day of Bangladesh -- on December 6 and December 16 respectively, with exchange of high-level visits, officials said.

Bangladesh and India decided to commemorate December 6 as Maitri Diwas (Friendship Day), the day India recognised Bangladesh in 1971.

Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is likely to visit Bangladesh on December 16 and 17 at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid to attend the Victory Day celebrations apart from his other key engagements, said a diplomatic source, adding that the two sides are working to give it a final shape.

If it is confirmed, this will be the first visit by the 14th President of India to Bangladesh.

To cherish this landmark day in history, December 6, the Government of Bangladesh and the Government of India are jointly organising a "Logo and Backdrop" designing competition.

The logo and backdrop are to represent the spirit of the Bangladesh Liberation War, the ideology and vision of the Bangladeshi struggle, and the spirit of fraternity and solidarity extended to this struggle by the people of India, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The contest is open to all the citizens of India and Bangladesh, residents in respective countries or anywhere in the world. The last date for accepting entries has been extended up to November 13.