CUMILLA, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock and Food Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid today said if everyone stands together for the development of Cumilla, it will be possible to bring back the lost tradition.  "With this conviction, work will be done to open new horizons of development," he said while addressing an iftar mahfil organized by the Cumilla Samity in Dhaka at the Rawa Convention Hall in the capital. The minister said that he believes that Cumilla will move forward, if it receives everyone's sincere cooperation and support.  He mentioned that there was a movement at one time demanding Cumilla to turn into a division and that dream is still cherished in his heart. Amin Ur Rashid expressed optimism that it is possible to take the neglected Cumilla forward with the united efforts of all.  He sought everyone's cooperation so that he can fulfill his duties in an honest and lawful way and be able to keep his father's honor, his own honor and above all the honor of the people of Cumilla intact.  He called on everyone to work together for the development of Cumilla and the establishment of the division. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Land ASM Saleh Ahmed was present as special guest at the event with Cumilla Samity President and Senior Secretary ABM Shahjahan presided over it.

RANGPUR, Feb 28, 2026 (BSS) - A solo lecture on Indigenous Language Rights was held at the 'Garon Art Gallery and Research Center' located on the College Road area in the divisional city today.    The intellectual thought platform 'Atmasabha' organized the one-on-one lecture on indigenous language rights.   Indigenous students studying at Begum Rokeya University, Carmichael College and various educational institutions, as well as local cultural figures, rights activists, writers, journalists and teachers, attended the event.    Garo poet and researcher Himel Richil delivered his speech titled 'Ethno-linguistic Language: Indigenous Rights and Cultural Existence' at the solo lecture.    In his speech, he highlighted various aspects of the language and cultural crisis of the indigenous people, overcoming the crisis, and the potential of diverse traditions in preserving indigenous languages and cultures.    He said that in order to protect our own language and culture, modern information technology must be used. Content on indigenous languages, literature and culture must be created through all means of technology, including social media and AI.   Stating that the indigenous people should preserve and expand their own languages, he further said that their own ethnic identity should come forward to save their ethnological language and culture.    "Literature and music should be composed in their own languages and they should continue to speak their own languages among themselves," he said.    Among the audience present at the event, Rangpur District President of SUJON Khandaker Fakhrul Anam Benju called for state sponsorship to protect indigenous languages.    Principal Nazrul Islam Haqqani said that opportunities for education should be created for indigenous people in their own languages. It is necessary to create educational institutions for them in the plains, hills, and indigenous-dominated areas.    Poet and essayist Abdur Razzaque, while expressing his opinion, said that very little is said about the language and culture of the indigenous people.    "At such a time, this event undoubtedly deserves praise. At the same time, it will motivate the indigenous people to protect the tribal identity," he said.    Tribal leader Samun Khalko said that this event is inspiring the youth of different ethnicities in the northern region to renew their fighting spirit.    Among others, rights activist Ashok Sarkar, photographer Firoz Chowdhury, artist Anik Reza, Khaishya Ang Marma, Rina Murmu and others expressed their views.    The organizer of the event from the 'Atmasabha' platform, poet and thinker Mir Ravi, said that language is the main holder, carrier and foundation of the overall culture of a society.    Poet Ahmed Moudud, one of the members of the 'Atmasabha', said, "We will be successful if this event enlightens the state and its policy makers in the hope of establishing the implementation of their aspiration."    Poet Qayyum Khan said, the Atmasabha' platform will conduct intellectual activities including social, cultural, political, language and literature-centered lectures, seminars, discussion meetings, meetings, art exhibitions.    Artists Israt Jahan Kakon and Shyamoli Hosda performed indigenous music.    The programme ended with the tunes of Neon Chakma on the guitar.