DHAKA: A get-together of International level Sylhet-origin people is going to be held in Kolkata on the occasion of three-day long Sylhet Utsav, which will begin from December 26.

Sources said the Indo–Bangla Sylhet Utsav, arranged by Jalalabad Association, a platform of Sylhet people live in Dhaka, in cooperation with South Kolkata Sylhet Association, will be held there at Jodhpur High School playground.

The this year’s Sylhet Utsav would be dedicated to folk artist and also UNESCO award recipient Shah Abdul Karim, sources added. 

Moreover, his ‘Agey Ki Shundor Din Kataitam’ song has been chosen as the theme song of the festival.

However, a 300-member Bangladesh delegation led-by the finance minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to attend the program.

Confirming the matter, Jalalabad Association general secretary Syed Jaglul Pasha said that all the preparations, including visa processing, have already been completed.

He, while talking with banglanews on Friday evening, added that one of the main objectives of the Sylhet Utsav is to strengthening the two neighboring countries’ friendly relations. “Bangladesh-India relation will be stronger with this festival.”

Apart from upholding Sylhet’s culture and cultural heritage on international platform, exchange of views of the two nations’ delegates will also get preference there, he added.

Nevertheless, according to the Jalalabad Association general secretary, a 60-member cultural team is to join the festival.

The 300-member Bangladesh delegation include state finance and planning minister MA Mannan, former advisors of caretaker government Dr Jamilur Reza Choudhury, CM Shafi Sami, former governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Muhammad Farasuddin, Pubali Bank chairman Hafiz Ahmed Mazumder, Rupali Bank chairman Dr Ahmed Al Kabir, Dhaka University professor Syed Manzurul Islam, journalists Hasan Shahriar, Peer Habibur Rahman and writer-film maker-architect Shakoor Majid.

BDST: 1320 HRS, DEC 20, 2014