DHAKA: Udichi Shilpi Goshthi, leading cultural group of Bangladesh, will take part the ‘Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla’ event as the government refused to accept the donation of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited for the event, says a press release.

The release, signed by its central president Kamal Lohani and general secretary Prabir Sardar, reads “Government invited Udichi to attend the grand event of singing our national anthem with around 300,000 people to set the record and the organization had taken all-out preparation too.”

“But image of the Prime Minster taking a donation from IBBL that were published in the media drew huge criticisms and Udichi decided to boycott the event,” it added.

The release said “Later, the finance ministry issued a press release saying no donation had been taken from IBBL on the event on Sunday; so, Udichi decided to join in the event.”

Udichi thanked the government in this regard urging not to take any further donation of the bank for the state event next.

Ministry of Cultural Affairs with the cooperation of Bangladesh Armed Forces Division are going to organize the “Lakho Konthe Sonar Bangla” event at the National Parade Square on the Independence Day with a possible participation of 3 lakhs people to set a new official world record for the largest population to sing the national anthem together.

BDST: 0950 HRS, MAR 24, 2014