News Flash
DHAKA, Sept 06, 2026 (BSS) - Culture Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury today said cultural awakening is the most effective means of resistance against religious extremism, intolerance and communal divisions in the contemporary world.
He also stressed the need for joint initiatives by Bangladesh and India to strengthen human values and harmony through literature, music, theatre and folk culture.
The minister made the remarks when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him at the Secretariat today.
During the meeting, they discussed in detail the historical and cultural ties between the two countries, the celebration of Nazrul Year, exchanges of artists and researchers, classical music, folk culture, development of young talents, and joint initiatives to preserve maritime cultural heritage.
Nitai said the deep bond between the languages, literature, music, folk heritage and human values of the people of the two countries is the strongest foundation of bilateral relations.
On the occasion of the ongoing Nazrul Year, he formally invited renowned Nazrul researchers, artists and cultural personalities from India to participate in various national and international programmes being organised in Bangladesh.
He also mentioned Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Lalon Shah and Bengali folk music as among the foundations of the shared cultural heritage of the two countries.
At the meeting, State Minister for Culture Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom proposed establishing a classical music network between the two countries. As an initial step, he proposed inviting two classical artists from India to Bangladesh to conduct workshops.
He also called for adopting a new action plan by renewing the Bangladesh-India Cultural Cooperation Agreement.
State Minister for Culture Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom, Secretary Yasmin Begum, the Deputy High Commissioner of India and the Director of the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, among others, were present.
Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi said launching joint training, residency programmes and cultural exchange activities for young talents from the two countries would further strengthen mutual understanding among future generations.
He also observed that there is considerable scope for joint research and cultural initiatives by Bangladesh and India to preserve maritime cultural heritage centred on the Bay of Bengal.
He described Bangladesh as a country of communal harmony, music and rich cultural heritage.
The High Commissioner assured full cooperation in organising international-standard events on a larger scale at Churulia, the birthplace of Kazi Nazrul Islam, and expressed his desire to attend such an event personally.
