By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka
Hundreds of people from India and Bangladesh yesterday celebrated ‘Rakhi Bandhan’ (tying the knot of f
Women tie rakhis to the wrists of invited guests and officials of Indian Border Security Forces and the Bangladesh Border Guard at the Hilli Immigration check post
riendship) on the Hilli frontiers in Dinajpur district, further cementing friendly relations between the two peoples.
The whole Hilli frontier turned into a huge ‘Milan Mela’ (meeting fair) after festivities began around 10am on the zero line near the Hilli Immigration check post under Hakimpur sub-district of Dinajpur district when people of all ages started gathering there from both the countries.
Indian organisation ‘Kolaghat Bhasha O Sangskriti Kendra’ of East Midnapur district of West Bengal, arranged the traditional ‘Rakhi Bandhan’ festivity and national anthems of both the nations were played in the inaugural ceremony.
Artists from Indian Hilli town and Shilpakala Academy of Hakimpur, among others, took part in the festivity and tied a ‘rakhi’ on the hands of the invited guests and officials of Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) and Bangladesh Border Guard (BBG).
Commandant of 96 BSF Battalion Noresh Sangram Biswal, BGB Camp Commander Shahidul Islam, former Mayor of Hakimpur municipality Kamal Hossain Raj, President of Dinajpur Press Club Chitta Ghosh and Mushfiqur Rahman Bakul of Hakimpur Shilpakala Academy were present.
A large number of socio-cultural and political workers and activists, artists, teachers, writers, common people of all ages including men, women, youths, adolescents, girls, students, farmers and relatives from either country participated in the festivity.
While tying a ‘rakhi’ (knot) on each other’s hands, the people said, demarcation of international boundary lines between the two nations and erection of the barbed-wire fences would never be able to weaken ties and relations of hearts between the two peoples.
Talking to newsmen, Dinajpur Press Club president Chitta Ghosh said Hilli border turns into a human sea for the festival that demonstrates the deep friendly and brotherly relations between the people of the two neighbouring countries.