Dinajpur Correspondent

Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda said Bangladesh is a country with a tradition of communal harmony. With this spirit, Bangladesh gained independence under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Our Constitution is the foundation of secularism.

Land Minister Narayon Chandra Chanda said this while addressing as the chief guest at the holy "Srimad Bhagavad Gita Recitation (Chanting)" in the premises of Kantajew Temple in Kaharole upazila of Dinajpur district on Saturday.

The program was organized by the Rangpur Divisional Holy Veda and Srimad Bhagavad Gita Teaching Association.

Organizers stated that the holy 'Srimad Bhagavad Gita' has been recited in more than 20 thousand voices for the happiness, prosperity, and war-free world peace of Bangladesh, and to awaken the Vedic traditional tradition for the first time in Bangladesh.

The land minister mentioned that after forming the government, Sheikh Hasina has been taking the country forward by maintaining communal harmony. He mentioned that Sheikh Hasina's government has taken steps to enact the Return of Vested Property (Second Amendment) Act in 2013. Two circulars have also been issued in this regard recently. Besides, a draft of the Debottar Property Act is being prepared to protect the Debottar Property, the minister said.

Narayon Chandra said that the peaceful coexistence of diversity ensures the unity of the country. This event has further strengthened the diverse beauty of Bangladesh.

The Land Minister stated that this program holds immense cultural and religious importance for the traditional community of Bangladesh. It was a wonderful experience to witness such a large gathering peacefully reciting the revered Gita in this traditional temple. At this time, the Land Minister thanked the people of Kaharol Upazila for their cooperation in organizing the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the Land Minister stressed the preservation and development of the religious and cultural heritage of Bangladesh and appreciated the efforts of the organizers and participants for upholding the values of tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect.

The speakers opined that reciting/chanting the holy book in 20,000 voices in this holy temple is a unique experience in their lifetime. They expressed gratitude to the government for cooperating in organizing this historic event and for creating an atmosphere of religious harmony.

The program started with the hoisting of the national flag by the Land Minister. A lamp lighting and Srimad Bhagavad Gita installation ceremony were held. Later, the flag hoisting, Veda mantra recitation, Surya Namaskar, and recitation of the holy Veda Mantra were held collectively. This was followed by the Conch shell blowing and Ululudhvani episodes, followed by the main part of the recitation/chanting of Srimad Bhagavad Gita in chorus. At the end, the guests spoke. Earlier, the land minister visited the Kantajew Temple building at the temple complex.

Member of Parliament Draupadi Devi Agarwala, Former Member of Parliament and Senior Vice President of Hindu Welfare Trust Manoranjan Sheel Gopal, Ekushey Padak-winning artist and heroic freedom fighter Dr. Manoranjan Ghoshal, Local Government Engineering Department Project Director Sushanta Roy, Industrialist and politician Kalipada Majumdar, Principal of Vivekananda Mission in India Dr. Manas Bhattacharya, were the Guests of Honor at the program.

Dinajpur Superintendent of Police Shah Iftekhar Ahmed, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nur-e-Alam, Kaharole Upazila UNO Md Aminul Islam, and local dignitaries were present at the event.

The Gita recitation ceremony was attended by thousands of devotees at the premises of the Kantajew temple, one of the most important archaeological sites in North Bengal.