President for strengthening communal harmony

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President M Abdul Hamid Advocate Monday urged all to contribute to the development and advancement of the country by strengthening the existing communal harmony, reports UNB. "Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony and peace. People of all religions of Bangladesh have been offering their respective religious rituals with festive mood freely from time immemorial," he said while greeting the Hindu community at a reception at Bangabhaban on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna. President Abdul Hamid also said that this unique example of communal harmony upholds the image of Bangladesh in the world arena. Water Resources Minister Ramesh Chandra Sen and State Minister for Religious Affairs Shahjahan Mia were present at the reception. Hindu religious personalities, leaders of the community and people from various professions of the community joined the reception. Indian High Commissioner and Nepalese Ambassador in Bangladesh as well as representatives of international organisations were also present on the occasion. President and his wife Rashida Khanam welcomed the guests at Bangabhaban and exchanged greetings with them. The President hosted the reception Monday as he was in Singapore for medical check-up on the day of Janmashtami observed on August 28.