Address by External Affairs Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Ceremony for Unveiling the Foundation Stone Plaque of 'Kalabhaban' for The Department of Theatre and Music, Dhaka University (Feb 9, 2009)

His Excellency Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, Hon'ble Minister for Higher Education
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Arefin Siddique
Distinguished Faculty members, students, guests
Ladies & Gentlemen

I am very happy to be here today at this prestigious and a leading educational institution of our region. This great institution has the distinction of giving this nation, great leaders who led its struggle for liberation. Intellectuals like Dr Muhammad Shahidullah and Prof. Abul Kashem from this University have led the Language Movement that sowed the seeds of liberation of Bangladesh.

2. India and Bangladesh share a common history, heritage and culture. Our multifaceted relationship encompasses every aspect of human life - commercial, intellectual, social, culture. It is therefore natural for people of both countries to aspire for greater connectivity and people to people contact. Last year on Pehali Besakh on April 14 both countries took a historic step by starting the Maitree Express train service between Dhaka and Kolkatta. Our relations have witnessed an upward swing in the recent past we, on our part, have tried to sustain this engagement by taking several important steps, including unilateral gestures to Bangladesh. These are designed to build trust and mutual confidence.

3. My visit to this eminent institution today is to extend India's support to the construction of Kalabhaban for the Department of Theatre and Music of the University. This is reflective of our commitment to strengthen the existing bonds of friendship, especially between the youth of our two countries, and our shared cultural values. Greater interaction particularly among the youth and the student community will contribute significantly in enhancing these bonds.

4. I would like to mention that with the aim to promote exchanges between students and teachers, India has taken the initiative, under the SAARC umbrella, to set up the South Asian University in New Delhi. It is our hope that this University will foster a sense of South Asian community by bringing together future generations of students in the common pursuit of quality education and to prepare them for the challenges of the new millennium that cut across borders such as terrorism, climate change and energy security.

5. I believe that economic development takes place in a given social and cultural environment. Therefore an appreciation of the cultural milieu is important in our development efforts. Our region enjoys rich cultural diversity. We have a responsibility to pass on our inherited culture in all its richness and variety to our future generations. Imagine a tomorrow where all these forms of vibrant dance and music are only remembered as past glory. We cannot allow such a situation to occur. Our efforts must create a favourable environment for the cultural traditions and practices to flourish. In our march towards progress and prosperity, our cultural heritage is a shared asset that should form another basis of connectivity between our two countries. Our support for Kalabhaban derives from the firm belief that we should encourage our youth to keep these skills and creativity alive and robust. We must ensure the survival of our traditional art, our dance forms and our music.

6. It gives me great pleasure to unveil the plaque of the foundation stone of Kalabhaban for the Department of Theatre and Music of the University of Dhaka. I am confident that construction of this Kalabhaban would provide opportunity to budding musicians, playwrights, dramatists, actors to realise their dream.

Thank You.