High Commission of India

Dhaka

Remarks made by High Commissioner at Saraswati Puja , Officers Club

(29 January 2020)

Hon’ble Education Minister H.E. Dipu Moni

Hon’ble Food Minister H.E. Shri Sadhan Chandra Majumder,

Hon’ble State Minister for LGERD, H.E. Shri Swapan Bhattacharjee,

Namaskar!

Shuvo Sandhya!

Thank you for inviting me here on the auspicious occasion of Basanta Panchami.

This festival has special significance for those who are in the pursuit of knowledge. This festival of seeking blessings for knowledge has acquired true secular character.

Today, we offer our respect to Maa Saraswati, the goddess of learning, art and music, and, seek her blessings to attain knowledge and wisdom to rid ourselves and our society of ignorance.

People of India and Bangladesh celebrate all festivals together. On this occasion, I share joy and happiness with our friends in Bangladesh.

Today, India and Bangladesh have excellent relations under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Friends, I am delighted to see all festivals being celebrated in all corners of Bangladesh by all sections of the society in true spirit of what Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Dharmo jaar jaar-utsab shobaar”.

I would like to thank the government of Bangladesh for making good security arrangements during the festivals of all communities. Bangladesh government’s ‘zero tolerance’ to any kind of extremism and terrorism is important for the country and region’s peace and stability.

We have a shared history. In 1971, inspired by Bangabandhu Indian soldiers and Bangladeshi Muktijoddhas fought together and shared blood together for the Liberation of Bangladesh. This was a moment of great pride for all Indians.

Today Bangladesh has firmly rejected extremist ideas and achieved success as a vibrant society.

We must live in peace and harmony as good neighbours and stand by each other in good times and bad.

Your dream of ‘Aamar Sonar Bangla’ is also our dream. India is ready to work as a partner for the growth and development of Bangladesh.

On this auspicious occasion, I pray to Maa Saraswati for her divine blessings of learning, wisdom, knowledge, and excellence in arts, music, science and technology so that we can bring peace, prosperity, progress and success for the people of both our countries.

Subho Bani Archana!

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