Akashvani Maitree channel can play significant role in promoting Bengali cultural heritage: Prez

Kolkata, Aug. 23 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said the Akashvani Maitree channel can play a significant role in promoting and preserving the composite Bengali cultural heritage, which is the proud inheritance of all Bengali speaking people irrespective of their geographical location. "I am sure the blending of content from both India and Bangladesh in the fields of art, culture, literature, music, sports and also on shared socio-economic issues will make the channel a unique one and establish it in the hearts of millions of radio loving people both in India and Bangladesh as well as outside," President Mukherjee said at the launch of Akashvani's Maitree Channel in Kolkata. The President said that India and Bangladesh are not just neighbours but are bound by an umbilical connection of ethnicity and kinship. "India always attaches highest importance to bilateral relations with Bangladesh because of our shared history, heritage, culture, language, physical proximity and also the role which the two nations can play together for the development and prosperity of the entire subcontinent and beyond," he added. He stated that with the launch of Akashvani Maitree, a new chapter is being added in the annals of India- Bangladesh relations. "The bedrock on which the edifice of this unique relationship stands is the unwavering faith of both the countries in democratic values, principles of liberalism, egalitarianism, secularism and respect for each other's sovereignty and integrity," he added. He said that Akashvani Maitree and its multimedia website is a unique venture and initiative of the All India Radio not only for the Bengali listeners in West Bengal, Bangladesh and the adjoining areas but the entire Bengali speaking diaspora living in different parts of the world. (ANI)