Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma has termed Bharat Bichitra magazine a bridge of friendship between Bangladesh and India, projecting shared history and culture over the last five decades.
“Bharat Bichitra has been promoting shared culture and heritage in last 50 years. It has become a bridge of friendship between the two nations. We are proud to present this special edition of the magazine projecting excellence of writing from both countries,” Pranay Verma said while addressing a programme in Dhaka on Thursday.
Former Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor attended the programme as the chief guest while High Commissioner of India Pranay Kumar Verma special guest.
Addressing the function, the Indian envoy recalled the glorious liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971 when the friendship of two countries saw a ‘shared sacrifice.’
“Over last five decades, India and Bangladesh have transformed as faster growing economies in the world. Bharat Bichitra has captured glorious moments and milestones of India-Bangladesh relationship,” Verma added.
Bangladesh has been invited as special guest at G-20 summit with India in the chair.
After launching the special edition of Bharat Bichitra, the envoy exchanged views with the writers and guests.
In his speech, former minister Asaduzzaman Noor considered the contribution of Bharat Bichitra to transform him as a writer.
“None was interested in publishing my article. With the inspiration of poet Belal Chowdhury, I contributed to Bharat Bichitra and got a good response from readers. We made a chatting occasionally at the editorial office of the magazine in Dhanmondi once,” he said.
Bangla Academy chairman Selina Hossain appreciated the role of Bharat Bichitra to promote new and traditional writers of Bangladesh and West Bengal promoting shared culture of both countries.
Bangla Academy director general Muhammad Nurul Huda urged the authorities concerned to disseminate the copies of Bharat Bichitra to share history and culture of the sub-continent among commoners.
Bharat Bichitra former editor Nantu Roy, who lead the editorial board over two decades, shared about the past days of the magazine to portray glorious history and culture of India and Bangladesh.
Member of Parliament Aroma Dutta, Bangladesh Bank’s former governor Atiur Rahman, Kaler Kantho editor-in-chief Imdadul Haque Milan, News24 executive editor Rahul Raha, Independent Television chief news editor Ashish Saikat and Bharat Bichitra editor Arabinda Chackraborti were, among noted writers and civil society members, were present.
