Prince vows to make Haluaghat a beacon of harmony
Haluaghat (Mymensingh) Correspondent :
BNP Central Executive Committee Joint Secretary General and BNP-nominated candidate for the Mymensingh-1 constituency, Syed Emran Saleh Prince, has said that everyone born and living on this independent soil is a Bangladeshi.
To build a “Rainbow Nation,” an “Inclusive Society,” and a “Positive Bangladesh,” patriotism and national consciousness must be awakened, bringing people of all religions, communities, political views, and backgrounds together in unity.
He made these remarks on Saturday morning while addressing the “Haluaghat Wangala-2025” festival as the chief guest, organised on the occasion of the Garo community’s Nabanna celebration.
Festival Nakma (Chief) and Director of the Academy, Engineer Proloy Snal, delivered the welcome speech and inaugurated the festival by beating the Nagara (a traditional drum).
The event took place at the open stage of the Small Ethnic Group Cultural Academy in Rangrapara, Haluaghat, jointly organised by Alokito Haluaghat and the Small Ethnic Group Cultural Academy. This is the most significant festival of the Garo community.
Upon arrival, Prince and his wife were welcomed with the Garo community’s traditional dance, escorting them from the main gate to the main stage.
They were honoured with Khutub (a special type of turban) and Uttorio made from traditional Garo-woven fabric.
In his inaugural speech, Prince said the Garo community’s unique cultural heritage distinguishes them as a separate ethnic group and gives them rightful dignity.
Their values, creativity, and cultural practices have enlightened society, enriched Bangladesh’s diversity, and contributed to national development.
Wangala, he said, is a religious and social harvest festival where the Garo people express gratitude to their Sun God and deities for fertility and abundance.
He added that Wangala serves as a beautiful bridge between the Garo and Bangali communities. For this reason, the festival will not disappear; rather, it will endure for generations as a universal celebration.
Although Wangala remains the chief religious and social harvest festival of the Garo community, its grandeur has faded over time.
Amid loud applause and cheers from the Garo attendees, he pledged that, with public support, the government from next year would officially support and facilitate Wangala, Christmas receptions, Easter Sunday events, sports, and other religious, cultural, and social programmes of the Garo community in Haluaghat.
Prince expressed gratitude to Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Farooki for reviving the Cultural Academy after six long years by appointing a director and taking initiatives to make it functional and vibrant.
He said Farooki had always responded promptly whenever he sought assistance for the academy.
Although unable to attend due to state commitments, Farooki had extended full support and assured solutions to the academy’s remaining issues.
Prince reaffirmed that united efforts would transform long-neglected Haluaghat into a region of enlightenment and communal harmony.
Later in the afternoon, Prince conducted mass outreach and distributed campaign leaflets in various areas of Ward No. 2 in Haluaghat municipality. He also addressed a street rally at Hadiser Mor.
In the evening, he attended a discussion meeting with local leaders, eminent persons, and residents of Chandashree-Ashram Para in Dhara Union. At night, he delivered a speech at an Islamic conference organised by the local youth in his native village of Dhara.
Engineer Proloy Snal, Nakma of Haluaghat Wangala, presided over the festival. Speakers included Assistant Commissioner (Land) Jannat of Haluaghat; Father Monindra Chiran, Parish Priest of Biridokuni Mission; Matilal Hajong, former President of Rashimoni Trust, researcher and noted writer; eminent writer Tapan Ghagra; and Subrata Rema, Chairman of Haluaghat Tribal Welfare Association.
Among others present were Lalit Kumar Drong, Headteacher of St Andrew’s High School; Bipul Hajong, General Secretary of the Central Tribal Welfare Association; Upazila BNP Convener Aslam Mia Babul; Joint Conveners Ali Ashraf and Kazi Forid Ahmed Palash; Chairman Shafiqul Rahman; Rabbi Kayser Arafat, Chairman of Alokito Haluaghat; and Hatem Ali, President of Haluaghat Press Club.