A month-long ‘Poush Mela’ (winter fair) was inaugurated on December 24 at Balabhir Goalpara village in Panchagarh.
Lawmaker of Pan-chagarh-2 constituency Advocate Nurul Islam Shujan inaugurated the mela. Adibashi Kalyan Samity organised the event in association with local Adibashi Poush Mela Committee to highlight the varied lifestyle and cultural heritage of the indigenous communities living in the northern districts. A total of twenty stalls have been set up, where household items, hunting tools including bows and arrows, spears and harpoons and swords are on display. Following the inauguration of the mela, a discussion was held. President of Adibashi Poush Mela Committee and also Chairman of Boda Union Parishad Mofizar Rahman Dinu chaired the event. Deputy Commissioner of Panchagarh, Banamali Bhowmik; Boda Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sarwar Alam; Assistant Superintendent of Police Shahabuddin Ahmed attended the programme as special guests. Among others, leader of Adibashi Kalyan Samity Rajoni Mardi; former chairman of Boda union Abdul Mannan; General Secretary of Upazila Awami League Advocate Wahiduzzaman Shuja and General Secretary of Mela Committee Raziul Alam Prodhan, spoke at the inaugural programme. Later a vibrant cultural programme was held with the participation of indigenous artistes. The artistes performed songs and dances in their traditional costumes. This is the third time that the mela is being held at the same venue, organisers said. Enthusiastic students and people from all walks of life are gathering everyday at the mela.