The President was speaking as chief guest in the inaugural ceremony of International Folk Festival 2018 at Muktarpara field of Netrokona organised by Greater Mymensingh Cultural Forum.    

President Abdul Hamid said “Do not get influenced by the cheap trend of satellite culture. Rather, you will have to accept the good aspects of it and you will have to exclude the evil sides.”

“Information-technology has affected everyone's life in the village and city. The whole world has become a village because of the free flow of information. As a result, the sky culture is now reality.  The influence of the culture of different countries and nations is spreading very fast. The cultural pattern is also changing at the same pace,” the President said.
 
The President stressed on the need for establishing an international institution for preserving folk culture. He said “The precious components of folk culture which is now scattered should be preserved in an organised way. An international standard folk culture institution should be established for the preservation of folk culture.”

He added "I am happy hear that the Cultural Forum has already taken a timely step to establish this type of institution with the collaboration of cultural ministry.”    

The President said “This international folk festival will intensify the relationship among the local and foreign researchers and artists and play a vital role in developing this region’s history, heritage and lifestyle. This festival will be considered as a milestone in the national history.”    

Calling upon the countrymen to spread own culture abroad, he said “There are various components of our culture across the country. You should collect these and will have to spread those abroad. I hope that many people including poets, writers, dramatists, producers, collectors, researchers, and institutions will come forward in this regard.”

Visva-Bharati University Professor Sabuj Koli Sen, and Dinesh Chandra Sen's great grand-daughter Debkanya Sen were also present in the programme. 

Renowned folk researcher Jatin Sarker presented the keynote speech in the programme chaired by Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Mustafa Jabbar.

Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office Abul Kalam Azad were present.

Earlier, the President laid the foundation of Sheikh Kamal IT Training and Incubation Centre in the district.