Photos bring India, Bangladesh closer

A three-day photo exhibition of Chittagong photojournalist has begun in Agartala, the capital of the Indian state of Tripura.

Agartala Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 23 Jan 2015, 10:56 AM
Updated : 23 Jan 2015, 10:58 AM

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar inaugurated the show at the City Centre on Friday.

Other dignitaries present were the state’s Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Bhanu Lal Saha and Mayor of Agartala City Dr Prafullajish Sinha.

"Cultural exchange programmes by themselves cannot help in making our ties strong; for that, we need strong trade relations, too. So we would like you to convince your government to allow us to use the Chittagong port which will be a win-win situation for both nations," said Sarkar.

"The new government of India under Narendra Modi has given a very positive indication of further improving relations with Bangladesh,” he added.

He said that was why Bangladesh was the first country Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj visited after assuming office with the intention of sorting out key issues such as border demarcation and river water sharing.
He warned that a small section with vested interest in Bangladesh was against the improvement of relations between India and Bangladesh.
The exhibition is being jointly organised by the Chittagong Photo Journalists Association and the Agartala Press Club in association with the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Dhaka.
A total of 44 photos of 22 members of Chittagong Photo Journalist Association are being displayed at the exhibition titled ’My Soil My Soul’.
The photos throw light on life, struggle, development, nature and cultural heritage of the people of Chittagong.
The exhibition is a part of Bangladesh’s pursuance of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people contact for improving relations between the people of the two nations.
The festival attracted large crowds, showing the interest there was in Tripura about Bangladesh.
The Bangladeshi participants said cultural activities played a vital role in fighting fundamentalism.
"This exhibition will surely play a vital role as both sides are not just interested in business and trade relations. We are soulmates and have a lot of similarities, and this will help further develop our relations," said Asif Siraj, one of the participating photojournalists.
Subhobrata Dey, a visitor, said: "Business relation is already there. There will be more activities in the coming days making our relations stronger."
He said the photographs would make the new generation aware of life in Bangladesh and help in improving the relations between India and Bangladesh.