Desk Report:
Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan has said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Chittagong Hill Tracts will also move forward along with the plains through balanced development. He called for cherishing the truth of ‘Bangladesh first’ by embracing its own roots and cultural identity.
The minister said these things while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the Jalkeli Festival organized by the Marma Cultural Society (MASS) at the Ching Hla Mong Chowdhury Mari Stadium in Rangamati on Friday (April 17, 2026).
Praising the Marma community, the minister said that although many groups are currently losing their cultural heritage, the Marmas have retained their heritage. However, future generations must be vigilant now to protect many of the extinct cultures of the hills.
He said that the cultures of various communities living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are very rich. Shangrai is now not just a festival of the Marma community; it has become a gathering of all ethnic groups in the hills.
Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, State Minister for Land and Hill Tracts Affairs, was present as the guest of honor at the event. In his speech, the State Minister said, “Regardless of religion and caste, we are all Bangladeshis.” He said, “Martyr President Ziaur Rahman introduced us as ‘Bangladeshis’ and brought us above discrimination.”
After the inauguration, the Marma youth dressed in traditional costumes celebrated the festival by pouring water on each other. The main purpose of this water festival is to welcome the new year by washing away all the sorrows, sorrows and evil spirits of the old year.
