Chittagong charms Indian scholars
L-R: Dr Sutapa Sinha, Dr Suchandra Ghosh, Dr Ranabir Chakravarti
Three Indian professors, who have arrived to attend the two-day “The Daily Star-Heritage Chatigram History Conference”, beginning yesterday, expressed their appreciation of Chittagong's natural beauty and the hospitality of its people to The Daily Star yesterday. The most amazing sights were the hills, sea and rivers of Chittagong, the eastern portion of the Ganges Delta, said Dr Ranabir Chakravarti, professor of Ancient History at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. “I visited Dhaka in 2004 but this is my first visit to Chittagong,” he said, adding that this was the first time he could experience the world renowned hospitality of Chittagong's residents. “I have had a deep attraction for Bangladesh since childhood, for my paternal uncle's ancestral residence is in Kushtia. “When I was a college student, I had the opportunity to hear the live telecast of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's March 7 speech in 1971. It continues to inspire me,” he said. Chittagong was the centre point of different vital movements since the British period. Names like Masterda Surya Sen and Preetilata Waddedar are now embedded in the Indian subcontinent's independence movement, he said. The declaration of Bangladesh's independence came from Kalurghat Betar Kendra (radio centre), also situated in Chittagong, added Dr Ranabir. Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, who introduced the microcredit programme to empower residents of the remotest regions, was also from Chittagong, cited the professor. Another noteworthy person of Chittagong was Abdul Karim Sahityavisharad who played a pioneering role in carrying out research on ancient manuscripts on Bangla literature, he said. Dr Sutapa Sinha, associate professor of Islamic History and Culture at University of Calcutta, arrived in Bangladesh for the first time. “What caught my attention while I was on my way from the airport were the beautiful hills around the Tiger Pass area,” she said. “I used to think people here like extra chilli in their food. But on the contrary it was nothing like that in the delicious curries I had at the hotel and one of our friends’ house. “The most delightful thing is the hospitality the people here have offered,” she said. Meanwhile it was the second time Dr Suchandra Ghosh, associate professor of Ancient Indian History and Culture at University of Calcutta, was here in Chittagong. “I just simply love this place,” she said, stating that Chittagong was one of her favourite destination for a visit. “I read the tale of the Karnaphuli river but to be there in person with boats and the port around the estuary before you was just amazing,” she said, adding that the river's name in itself was beautiful. “Yesterday (Thursday) I had the opportunity to taste Laitta shutki (dry fish) and Koral fish. The curries were delicious,” she said. She also praised the locally made rotis (wheat bread). The one thing which overwhelmed her was the hospitality offered by the residents of Chittagong, she said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments