DU hosts first-ever Buddhist cultural festival

Dhaka University (DU) on Thursday hosted its first-ever Buddhist cultural festival at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) premises.

The festival was organised jointly by the university’s Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies and the Center for Buddhist Heritage and Culture, with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs.

DU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam formally inaugurated the festival by releasing balloons on the TSC grounds. The auditorium later welcomed guests with a vibrant cultural performance.

Culture Affairs Adviser Adv Nitai Roy Chowdhury attended the programme as the chief guest.

Speaking at the event, the DU VC said Buddhist culture carries a thousand years of heritage and continues to promote values of peace, tolerance and ethics in society.

He said such an arrangement would help students gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy and strengthen intercultural harmony.

Addressing the programme, Nitai Roy Chowdhury said culture is the soul of a nation and sustainable progress is not possible without the parallel development of education and culture.

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Adv Dipan Dewan highlighted the peaceful and humane teachings of Buddhism, saying Buddha’s renunciation of royal life remains a timeless example for humanity.

Teachers, students and cultural activists were present at the programme.

NRE/AM