RANGAMATI, Apr 17: The Marma community's traditional Sangrai water festival, marking the New Year celebration, was held at Mari Stadium in Rangamati amid festive enthusiasm and participation from multiple communities.
Organised by the Marma Cultural Organisation (Masss), the day-long event was inaugurated on Friday afternoon by Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan and State Minister for Lands and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin.
The festival saw participation from Marma people as well as members of other ethnic communities from across Rangamati, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with joy and celebration.
Among others, Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Agronomist Kajal Talukder, Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi, Rangamati Sadar Zone Commander Lt Col Ekramul Rahat, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Abdur Raqib PPM, Rangamati BNP President Dipen Talukder Dipu, General Secretary Advocate Mamunur Rashid Mamun, and Masss Convener Paisia Marma were present.
Speaking at the event, Minister Dipen Dewan said that the government is committed to ensuring development for all ethnic groups across the country. "No community in the hills or anywhere in Bangladesh will be left behind in development. They will receive equal access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and all civic facilities," he said.
State Minister Barrister Mir Helal Uddin said the festival, though celebrated by the Marma community, reflects the cultural harmony of the hills. He noted that people from 12 communities participated in the celebration, describing it as a symbol of the "rainbow nation".
He added that the rich cultural diversity of the Chattogram Hill Tracts should be showcased nationally and internationally, saying the government is working to improve the living standards of all ethnic groups in the region.
The Sangrai festival is one of the most important social and religious celebrations of the Marma community, marking the end of the old year and welcoming the new one.
Traditionally, young men and women take part in water games, splashing water on each other to wash away past sorrows and misfortunes and welcome a fresh start.
The celebration is held with great enthusiasm and is now embraced by people from different communities in the hills, symbolising unity, joy, and cultural harmony.
