<i>Spring breaks the barrier</i>
Artistes from Bangladesh and West Bengal offer a captivating cultural programme during 'Epar Bangla-Opar Bangla Basanta Utsab' at 'zero line' on Hili border in Hakimpur upazila of Dinajpur district on Sunday.Photo: STAR
A colourful programme titled 'Basanta Utshab' was celebrated at zero point on the Hili border on Sunday to strengthen the historical cultural bonds of the people on both sides of the border. Organised by Bhasha o Sangskritik, Kolaghat, East Medinipur of West Bangal, a large number of people, including artistes, joined the programme, ignoring the barrier. The 'spring festival' began at 8:30am and continued until 11:00am. Around 100 artistes, 40 of them from Shanti Niketan, performed on a small stage erected at the zero line. College and school students also participated in the cultural event. People from both sides of the frontier got united at the zero point after BSF and BGB opened the border at around 8:00am. Saroj Chatterjee of Shanti Niketan, who rendered Tagore's songs at the programme, urged the organisers to arrange such programme every year. Raj Kumar, commanding officer of 57 BSF Battalion was present at the programme as chief guest. The programme concluded with splashing paint on each other. The organisers said if the ministries concerned of both countries take an initiative in this regard, they can arrange the programme in a bigger way.
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