Culture Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury has called for strengthening mutual respect, empathy and harmony between the people of Bangladesh’s hills and plains.

He made the call while addressing a views-exchange meeting with local cultural activists and representatives of institutions working with ethnic communities at the conference room of the Bandarban Deputy Commissioner’s office on Sunday afternoon.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Pru and State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam attended the meeting as special guests.

Addressing the gathering, Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said, “Unity in Diversity is one of Bangladesh’s greatest strengths.” He said the country’s society and culture had evolved through the contributions of diverse ethnic communities, languages, traditions and ways of life.

Although people differ in their lifestyles and cultural practices, he said, they share a common broader national identity. He called for strengthening national unity on the basis of mutual respect and harmony while embracing this diversity.

The minister described Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman as the proponent of Bangladeshi nationalism, saying its core principles emphasise a shared national identity and harmony among all communities. He added that the diverse lifestyles and cultural traditions of people from the hills and plains had enriched Bangladesh’s overall cultural heritage.

He said different communities across the country had their own languages, cultures, traditions, festivals and ways of life. Preserving and promoting these distinctive features would further enrich Bangladesh’s cultural landscape. Drawing lessons from the country’s past struggles and achievements, he urged everyone to work together to build a prosperous, humane and discrimination-free Bangladesh.

Speaking as a special guest, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Saching Pru, MP, called on people from the hills and plains to move forward by overcoming divisions and distances and fostering mutual respect, empathy and cooperation. He stressed the importance of coordinated initiatives to preserve the cultural diversity and heritage of communities in the hill districts.

State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam, MP, said the Ministry of Cultural Affairs was implementing various initiatives to improve the living standards of ethnic communities and promote their distinct cultural heritage, festivals and practices. He added that the ministry was working to make these initiatives more effective and expand their reach.

The meeting was chaired by Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Naznin Sultana. Police Superintendent Wahabul Islam Khandaker, the Civil Surgeon, heads of various government departments, local cultural activists and representatives of institutions working with ethnic communities attended the event.

Earlier, Culture Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury visited the Bandarban Ethnic Cultural Institute, where he was briefed on its activities and enjoyed a cultural programme organised by the institute.