DHAKA: A group of bicyclists in Kolkata have started rallying from Jadavpur Hospital premises towards Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on Monday eyeing on cultural ties between the two next-door neighbours.

The bicycle rally entitled ‘India-Bangladesh Friendship Cycle Rally’ is aimed at building cultural ties and communication between the two sides of the border, the organizers said

Chief Minister of West Bengal Buddha Dev Bhattacharya formally inaugurated the rally at 9am Monday. West Bengal’s Youth and Sports Minister Kanti Gangulee was present.

Sukanto Sangsad of Bangladesh and Kishore Bahini of Indian jointly organized the rally to mark the occasion of 84th birth anniversary of poet Sukanta Bhattacharya and 150th birth anniversary of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

"We believe the rally will transmit the cultural values to the new generation of the two sides,” said Anwarul Karim Raju, Convener of Sukanto Sangsad at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters` Unity here.

Raktim Das, Coordinator of Kishore Bahini, established by Sukanta, said the organization has been working for a progressive society.

Some 35 bicyclists from Kolkata are taking part in the rally. They will arrive at Benapole border on August 18 and conclude at the foot of Central Shaheed Minar on August 23.

BDST: 1730 HRS, AUGUST 16, 2010