Guwahati: Indian Army organised India- Bangladesh seminar at Assam Administrative Staff College, Guwahati, on Tuesday (September 21) to commemorate the 50th year of the 1971 India Pakistan war and India's thumping victory. Ajay Bhatt, Raksha Rajya Mantri, Government of India, inaugurated the seminar and congratulated Eastern Command and Gajraj Corps for conducting the seminar, which is most relevant in the present context.
He stated the seminar was a milestone step taken by all on the solemn occasion of "Swarnim Vijay Varsh" celebrations. He also pointed towards the unexplored North East India and about opportunities the area holds for both nations. MoS Defence Bhatt further added that North East is like a rising sun for both India and Bangladesh because this is the gateway to connect Southeast Asian Nations where there are immense opportunities in various fields.
This one-day seminar was conducted on the theme "Bangladesh and North East India: Into the Rising Sun" in two sessions under two sub-themes, Threads That Bind' and "Socio-Economic Symbiosis". The seminar stressed the importance of North East India in Indo- Bangladesh relations. The seminar kick-started with a keynote address by Ms Smita Pant, Joint Secretary, Bangladesh- Myanmar, Government of India. Mrs Pant said that India has a proud contribution to Bangladesh liberation. She added the seminar is a platform to commemorate history. Mr Wasbir Hussain, Editor-in-Chief, NE Live and Mr Nani Gopal Mahanta, Academic Advisor to Government of Assam, chaired the seminar sessions.
During the seminar, Security Aspects and Connectivity between the two nations were also dwelled upon. Prominent Indian speakers Mr Nitin Gokhale, Ms Indrani Bagchi, Dr Sreeradha Datta and former Ambassador Gautam Mukhopadhaya spoke on Water Sharing, Cultural Melange, opportunities in the Bay of Bengal and Shared Regional Prosperity.
The speakers highlighted both countries' common opportunities and problems in various fields and how the opportunities can be grabbed for mutual cooperation and growth. It touched upon the commonalities and similarities with a connected past, which should not be forgotten or ignored.
Lt. Gen Manoj Pande AVSM, VSM, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command delivered the opening address and set the Seminar's tone and reiterated the importance of sharing ideas and knowledge with all the stakeholders. Army Commander mentioned this seminar would act as a harbinger of a stronger Indo-Bangla relationship by overcoming the common challenges together and focusing on the opportunities which lie ahead in front of the future generations.
In his concluding remarks Lt. Gen Ravin Khosla, AVSM, SM, VSM, GOC, Gajraj Corps, expressed his gratitude to all for making the seminar a success and making it a promising step towards a better future for both Nations.
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