BANGLADESH

Over a hundred acclaimed personalities of the country, including poets, writers, intellectuals and cinema and TV artistes, showed up at an informal gathering organised by the prime minister at her official residence in the capital on Saturday.

In response to the invitation extended by Sheikh Hasina, the guests started arriving at the venue – Ganabhaban – around 4pm and then stayed for the next several hours.

The prime minister was all over the place – talking, chatting, eating and, unusually though, even singing along with the guests.

Traditional cakes and other snacks were being cooked in the huts around made of straws, apart from 'Fuchka-Chatpati' stalls that drew most of the guests there. Even the prime minister herself was seen enjoying the tongue-tickling 'Fuchka-Chatpatis' in clay plates.

Famous singers of the country Kangalini Sufia, Kiron Chandra Roy and Bari Siddiqui performed and presented some of their popular numbers at the party.

But then one question crossing everyone's mind seemed: "Why this party? Any specific reason?" And the response came from none other than the host herself, "It was my long-time wish to exchange greetings with the famous personalities of the country.

"Ganabhaban means the people's building. Whoever comes here should think of it as his or her own home."

She also sought best wishes of and suggestions from everyone present at the party to fulfil the demands of the people of the country.

Hasina sang a patriotic song, along with renowned singers Mustafa Jaman Abbasi, his sister Ferdousi Rahman, Mita Haque and agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury sitting at the same table.

'SUCH PROGRAMMES GOOD'

Renowned actor A T M Shamsuzzaman Khan said getting an invitation from the prime minister was a 'great honour' for him.

Famous magician Jewel Aich said, "Seeing so many renowned people of the country at one place is making me feel good. I don't have anything else to say."

The guests were served with dried rice, traditional and local homemade cakes. Tables-chairs and 'Shital Patis' were spread out in the field for seating the guests.

Renowned poet Mahadeb Saha gifted two books to Sheikh Hasina on the occasion.

Asked, "How was the party", he told : "Whenever I meet the prime minister, I feel like coming further closer to Bangabandhu and the Liberation War [of 1971]."

Finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said it would be great to have this kind of programme happening every now and then. "It's very good to see meet these people after a long time."

Like Muhtih, Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman also said this kind of programmes should be arranged once in a while. "If the prime minister sits with these different groups, meaningful exchange of thoughts can happen."

Of the cultural personalities, Murtoza Bashir, Kaiyum Chowdhury, Hashem Khan, Dr Korunamoy Goswami, Syed Anowara Haque, Dr Rafiqul Islam, Ferdousi Priyobhashini, Monayem Sarker, Syed Hasan Imam, Nasir Uddin Yusuf, Hasan Arif, Laki Imam, Mustafa Nur-ul Islam, Golam Kuddus, poet Rabiul Hussain, Dr Baren Chakrabarty and Anisul Haque, movie stars Faruque, Tarana Halim, Enayetur Rahman Bappi, poet Kazi Rozi, Shakila Jafar, Kumar Biswajit, Kiron Chandra Roy, Bari Siddiqui, Abu Jafar Siddiqui, Pijush Bandopaddhay, Catherine Masud, Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, Rafiqul Alam, Abida Sultana and Shuvra Deb, and many others from various walks of life including the cabinet members attended the party.

Of the media personalities, Mahbubul Alam, Golam Sarowar, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Abed Khan, Beby Moudud, Riaz Uddin Ahmed, Shah Alamgir, Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, Nurul Kabir, Syed Anwar Hossain, Faridur Reza Sagar, Shaikh Siraj, Imdadul Haque Milon, Shyamal Dutta, Habibur Rahman Milon and many showed up for the get-together.

Besides, educationalist Zillur Rahman Siqqiqui, Dr Shamsuzzaman Khan, Prof Anisuzzaman, Prof Rafiqul Islam, Dr Enamul Haque, Dhaka University vice-chancellor A A M S Arefin Siddiqui and pro-vice-chancellor Harur-ur-Rashid were also among the guests.