ICCR plays role to boost ties between BD and India
The Indian Assistant High Commission in Sylhet Shri Aniruddha Das organised a grand, colorful, and significant event on the occasion of the 77th founding anniversary of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
Journalists from various media oputlets, cultural figures, educationists, civil society representatives, former ICCR alumni, and invited guests participated enthusiastically in the program, held at a prestigious hotel in Sylhet city on the evening of April 8 (Wednesday). The event reflected sincerity, harmony, and the deep cultural ties between India and Bangladesh.
At the beginning of the program, Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Sylhet, Aniruddha Das, delivered a speech.
He said, “ICCR is not just an institution; it is a strong cultural bridge between India and people from different countries around the world. ICCR has been playing an important role in further strengthening the historical, linguistic, cultural, and humanitarian ties that exist between Bangladesh and India.”
These students are not only gaining academic knowledge but are also becoming acquainted with Indian culture, tradition, and lifestyle, gaining a deep intercultural experience that will play an important role in developing relations between the two countries in the future.
Paying special respect to the former ICCR alumni present at the event, he said, “You are a living bridge of friendship between the two countries.
The experience you have gained will help further strengthen relations between Bangladesh and India.”
The event’s chief guest was Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury, Administrator of Sylhet City Corporation. In his speech, he sincerely thanked the Government of India for providing ICCR scholarships.
He noted that through this initiative, many Bangladeshi students are gaining opportunities for higher education, which plays an important role in shaping their future. He further added that such educational cooperation contributes significantly to the development of relations between India and Bangladesh.
Other speakers included Dr. Himadri Shekhar Roy, Professor of the Department of English at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and former ICCR scholar, and Dr. Prakriti Mishra.
They expressed gratitude to the guests and provided a brief overview of ICCR’s long journey. They stated that since its establishment, ICCR has played a vital role in promoting cultural exchange, educational cooperation, and mutual understanding among people worldwide.
Towards the end of the programme, some former alumni shared their experiences, noting that the ICCR scholarship had opened new horizons in their lives.
They expressed admiration for the education, culture, and hospitality they experienced while studying at various universities in India, and called for the continuation of such initiatives.
A special highlight of the programme was a short but captivating cultural performance that showcased the rich cultural heritage of India and Bangladesh through music and dance, fascinating all the guests present.
The event concluded with a sincere exchange of views, during which participants discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, culture, and cooperation between the two countries.
