State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid has said there was no precedence for a cultural person to be involved in militancy and anti-social activities.
"In order to build a peaceful society free from militancy and drugs, we have to preserve and develop our rich Bengali culture and enhance nurturing those involving young generations," he said.
He made the observation while addressing the inaugural function of the Rangpur divisional level five-day 'Jatiya Pitha Utsab -1428 on Public Library ground in the city on Wednesday afternoon as the chief guest.
Each of the 30 stalls set up on the festival premises by cake experts of Rangpur under the auspices of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has been decorated with more than 100 types of traditional and delicious cakes.
President of Jatiya Pitha Utsab Udjapan Parishad and heroic freedom fighter M Hamid inaugurated the festival with Convener of its Rangpur divisional parishad Biplob Prosad in the chair.
Deputy Inspector General of Rangpur Range Devdas Bhattacharya, Deputy Commissioner Md. Asib Ahsan, General Secretary of the Jatiya Pitha Utsab Udjapon Parishad Khandaker Shah Alam and district Awami League President Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed were present as special guests.
The State Minister said Pitha Utsab is an important ingredient of rich Bengali culture and heritage. Pathe-puli Combination of various types of Pitha-puli can be seen for decades and centuries together. "From now, Pitha Utsab will be celebrated regularly in all divisional cities including Rangpur as well as other parts of the country. The festival will be sponsored by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs by including it in the annual calendar," he said.
He said the greater Rangpur region is highly enriched with traditional Bhaoyaiya songs.
"We have decided to include Bhaoyaiya festival in the annual calendar and provide patronage for arranging Bhaoyaiya festival regularly in Rangpur region every year," he added.
The State Minister said similar cake festivals should be arranged in remote rural areas not only to entertain common people, but also to popularize rich Bengali culture among young generations.
Many kinds of delicious and tasty cakes are mostly made in remote rural areas in winter. Pitha is an essential element of Bengali life and culture. Winter and cake seem to be tied together.
"Making Pitha starts as soon as new paddy comes to the farmer's house in autumn. The cake festival could not be arranged in Rangpur on time during winter due to Covid-19 pandemic this time," he added.
