The Minister said this at the unveiling of a memorial plaque commemorating two deceased Indian journalists, Surajit Ghoshal and Deepak Banerjee, at the Kolkata Press Club premises.

Known and remembered for their significant contributions as reporters during the 1971 Liberation War, Surajit Ghoshal and Deepak Banerjee were working at the time for Anandabazar and Amritabazar respectively.

Hasan Mahmud unveiled the plaque at the Kolkata Press Club premise as the chief guest, before heading to a programme arranged by the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata - in reception to a number of Indian citizens who received the Bangladesh Freedom Fighter Friendship Award at a function at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, later at the day.

“Although there are political and geological barriers between Bangladesh and India, the connection between people in these two countries is indelible. Through the power of this unique example of strong friendship, Bangladesh is thriving towards the ‘Shonar Bangla’, envisioned by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Dr Hasan Mahmud said at the plaque unveiling event.

President of Press Club Kolkata Snehashish Shur said, “India would not have known how the Bangladeshi people had to pass their days during the unrest period in the 1971 Liberation War, without our brave journalists and their frequent reportages. Not only Surajit and Deepak, but a total of 13 journalists also embraced the martyrdom during that period - and a book was published regarding the matter in the centenary of Press Club Kolkata.”

The minister was accompanied at the event by member of the parliamentary standing committee on Information Ministry Saimum Sarwar Komol MP, Publicity Deputy Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Aminul Islam Amin, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Mohammad Imran, Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Toufique Hasan, President of Press Club Kolkata Snehashish Shur and Secretary Kingshuk Pramanik and more.

The day-long function was organized marking the grand celebration of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh and the historic rally of Bangabandhu at the Brigade Parade Ground, Kolkata, on this day in 1972.

Earlier, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud inaugurated the 3rd Bangladesh Film Festival in Kolkata on Friday, being organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Information of Bangladesh with the management of Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

Minister for Science and Technology of West Bengal Government Bratya Basu joined the festival as the guest of honour while Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran and noted Film Director of India Gautam Ghosh joined as the special guests.

Celebrated Bangladeshi film artists Jaya Ahsan, Ferdous Ahmed, Riaz Ahamed, Dilara Hanif Purnima, among others, joined the festival as guests, according to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

The festival began on Saturday with the screening of the film “Hasina: A Daughter’s Tale”, produced by eminent writer Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury based on the life of Sheikh Hasina, the incumbent Prime Minister of Bangladesh and daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

A total of thirty-two Bangladeshi feature films are scheduled to be screened during the five-day-long 3rd Bangladesh Film Festival-2021, including ‘Jalaler Golpo’, ‘Krishnopokkho’, ‘Oggatonama’, ‘Rajadhiraj Razzak’, ‘Under Construction’, ‘Debi,‘ Podmo Patar Jol’, ‘Abar Boshonto’, ‘Maya: The Lost Mother’, ‘Na Dorai’, ‘Ankhi O Tar Bondhura’, ‘Fagun Haway’, ‘Iti Tomari Dhaka’, ‘Bhuban Majhi’, ‘Gondi’, ‘Pora Mon’ and more.

Besides, an art exhibition titled ‘Bangabandhu and Bangladesh’ is being held simultaneously during the festival, marking the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The exhibition is showcasing a total of 100 photographs, being displayed at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata.