Societal Events Report :The annual event titled ‘Mango and Silk Exposition and Folk Festival 2014’ finished magnificently on the premises of green plaza of Rajshahi City Corporation at Nagar Bhaban in Rajshahi with a lively inauguration ceremony and rally. The three-day festival has already been recognised as one of the noteworthy cultural festivals of the country. The festival included showcasing of mango and Rajshahi silk and traditional Gombhira and baul songs. The event was organised by Aamra Rajshahibashi and sponsored by private mobile operator company Banglalink. The festival is basically a reunion of three major products that have cultural values for the country’s people. Mango is the leading seasonal cash crop of the north-western region of the country and dominates the economy in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj districts. Hundreds of varieties will be shown in the fair in the coming days. Though these are table varieties, meant to be relished as cut fruit, there are others that are used for making jam, jelly, squash, chutney, pickle etc. This festival is a common platform where mass people from all age, race and religion and income level can join. People from all over the country gather to celebrate the festival. During the opening session Md Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, Mayor of RCC, inaugurated the ceremony as the chief guest, while Swapon Chowdhury Paul, Director General of Bangladesh Sericulture Board (BSB) and Shah Rafiul Kabir, Regional Commercial Head of Rajshahi of Banglalink were also present as special guests on the occasion. To celebrate the event, hundreds of mango research experts, silk research experts and legendary Gombhira singers and bauls attended and performed, providing a scope of entertainment for all kinds of people from all walks of life. Thousands of people from all over the country gathered on the green plaza premises of the RCC to see the start off of this noteworthy event. On the last day of the event, greater Rajshahi area’s artistes presented cultural programmes along with Gombhira. During the closing session Sarder Tamiz Uddin Ahmed, Addl Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police, Rajshahi, Anwarul Amin Ajob, Panel Mayor-1 of RCC and Mushfik Ush Salehin, Regional Sales Manager, Rajshahi of Banglalink were also present as special guests among others. n NN Photo
