10-day culture festival going on in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, March 20 (BSS): A ten-day Rajshahi Culture Festival-2011 began at Green Plaza of the City bhaban here Thursday amid a festive mood with the slogan of `culture for freedom: awake up Rajshahi'. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) and Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Office jointly organised the festival marking the 91st birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Independence and National Day 2011. Mayor of Rajshahi AHM Khairuzzaman Liton attended and addressed the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest with President of the festival organising committee and Commissioner of Rajshahi division Abdul Mannan in the chair. Highlighting the laudable role of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the War of Liberation and independence of the nation Mayor Liton underscored the need for a collective effort to materialise the dream of Bangabandhu to build a golden Bangladesh. Besides, he also called for supplementing the effort of the present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for building a digital Bangladesh. Among others, noted writer Prof Hassan Azizul Haque, fine artist Abdul Qaiyum, President of Rajshahi Writers Council Prof Ruhul Amin Pramanik, Coordinator of the festival committee Prof Dr Tasiqul Islam Raja, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Dilwar Bakth and Chief Executive Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation Ajahar Ali also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, a huge children gathering was held at Rajshahi Collegiate School ground from where they brought out rally and paraded some of the city streets before being ended the green plaza. Mayor Liton and other dignitaries led the rally. In addition to various indigenous culture functions, seminar on different culture, politics and literary issues will be held everyday of the festival from 3 pm till March 26.