CHT minister seeks cultural ministry cooperation to promote hill heritage.
Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Sa Ching Prue Jerry today sought full cooperation from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to further promote the diverse culture, heritage and traditional practices of the hill region at home and abroad.
“A coordinated initiative between the two ministries is needed to preserve and further develop the region’s rich cultural diversity and promote it nationally and internationally,” he said during a courtesy meeting with Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury at his office at Bangladesh Secretariat here today.
Sa Ching Prue, who is also the traditional Bohmong Circle chief of Bandarban, was accompanied by his Private Secretary (Deputy Secretary) Mohammad Rashedul Haque, according to a press release issued this afternoon.
Nitai Roy Chowdhury welcomed the minister. Later, the two ministers discussed the diverse cultural heritage, history, natural beauty and traditional practices of the CHT region.
Sa Ching Prue said the unique customs, traditional attire, rituals and folk culture of the 12 ethnic communities, along with the Bengali community living in Bandarban, should be preserved and promoted to build a society based on equality, harmony and mutual respect.
He said cultural activities and exchanges could play an important role in strengthening peace and communal harmony in the hilly region.
The CHT minister also underscored the need to promote cultural activities to reduce the social and cultural gaps between the hill and Bengali communities and foster stronger bonds of friendship and understanding among all communities.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, MP, was present at the meeting.
He expressed his commitment to strengthening cultural ties and enhancing cultural exchange programmes through joint initiatives of the two ministries.
During the meeting, Sa Ching Prue invited the Cultural Affairs Minister and the State Minister to attend the Prabarana Purnima and Pitha Festival scheduled to be held in Bandarban on October 25.
