Mosharoff Hossain Jewel, Mymensingh

A colourful rally, discussion meeting, and cultural program were held in Mymensingh on Sunday morning to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples 2026.

Organized by the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples Celebration Committee 2026, the event commenced at the central office of the Mymensingh Tribal Welfare Association. Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi, CSC, of the Mymensingh Catholic Diocese, inaugurated the rally, which paraded through the city's main thoroughfares before terminating on the premises of the Bhatikashar Tribal Welfare Association.

Social, cultural, and student organizations—including the Tribal Welfare Association (TWA), PCC, UCGS, Bagachach, Gasu, and AWA—participated in the subsequent discussion meeting and cultural performance.

Writer, researcher, and Independence Award winner Aranya E. Chiran, chairman of the TWA Central Committee, presided over the discussion. Mymensingh Additional Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Masum Pradhan attended the event as the chief guest.

Special guests included Rev. Fr. Dr. Thaddeus Hembrom, principal of Notre Dame College, Mymensingh; Rev. Fr. Dr. Bijan Kubi, parish priest at St. Patrick's Cathedral Church; John Sangma, secretary general of the TWA Central Committee; Sister Mary Jacinta Mrong, provincial of S.M.M.I. Bangladesh Province; Rosie Rangma, regional director of Caritas Mymensingh Region; Gabriel Rosario, executive director of Pari Development Trust; Silvester Gomez, executive director of the Disabled Community Center (PCC); Sister Leah Drong, principal of Salesian Sisters Nursing College; Rev. Fr. Manuel Chambugong, coordinator of the Youth Commission of Mymensingh Catholic Diocese; Rev. Fr. Tamal Rema, rector of St. Xavier's Intermediate Seminary; Fr. Harish Hajong, president of North Bangladesh Mission, SDA; Sekendra Snal, chairman of JDO Mymensingh Sadar Upazila; Suborna Polly Drong, executive director of Shanti Mitra Samaj Kalyan Sanstha; Pastor Jonerson Deo of the Church of Bangladesh; and Parish Chisim, among others.

The event was moderated by Tirtha Ruram, organizing secretary of the Bagachas Central Committee.