Guwahati Feb 24 PTI Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday stressed the vital role that films can play in enhancing cultural and people-to-people ties between his country and IndiaMahmud was speaking while inaugurating the first Bangladesh Film Festival here to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the independence of the neighbouring countryThe festival which will continue through the first half of March beginning from Friday at different venues in Guwahati is being organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Bangladesh in association with the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh GuwahatiMahmud pointed out that India and Bangladesh were one country but the Partition in 1947 led to disruption in the connectivityPeople of both the countries speak almost the same language live along the banks of the same rivers But political boundaries have disrupted our connectivity he saidGovernments of both the countries have been working on re-establishing connectivity through roads rails and water between the two neighbours and increasing economic cooperation the minister saidUnderlining that people-to-people connect is equally important for taking forward economic ties Mahmud said For enhancing cultural relations and people-to-people ties films play an important role And hence we decided to hold the festival here We hope to make it a regular event The Bangladesh minister also highlighted the role of films in helping humans remain humane in the present technology-driven materialistic worldAssam Forest and Environment Minister Parimal Suklabaidya along with other dignitaries were also present at the inaugural ceremony PTI SSG MM MM

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 29 (ANI): Bangladesh Information and Broadcasting Minister M Hasan Mahmud on Thursday blamed opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and pro-Pakistan elements for the recent communal violence in the country during the Durga Puja festival.

Kolkata Oct 28 PTI Bangladesh Information Minister M Hasan Mahmud on Thursday invited West Bengal assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee to visit his country which is celebrating its golden jubilee year of independence Mahmud who met Banerjee at the assembly here in a courtesy visit said they also discussed economic activities between the two countries I have invited the honourable Speaker to visit Bangladesh during the golden jubilee year of our independence and that of India-Bangladesh friendship the minister told reporters To a question he said the Bangladesh governments Culture Ministry is taking forward conservation work of legendary Bengali film actress Suchitra Sens ancestral home in the neighbouring country where a small museum existsSen who was born in Pabna district of undivided Bengal in 1931 was known for films like Devdas and Andhi Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had condoled her death in 2014 Mahmud said the Bangladesh government has allowed resumption of hilsa export to India for another 10 days for this yearThe minister is on a three-day visit to West Bengal since Tuesday PTI AMR NN NN