RAJBARI, July 2: Financial assistance amounting to nearly Tk 18 lakh was distributed among cultural organisations and financially distressed cultural personalities in Rajbari on Thursday.
The grants were handed over at a ceremony held in the conference room of the deputy commissioner (DC)'s office, where representatives of 19 cultural organisations and 61 cultural personalities received cheques.
According to the district administration, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has allocated the financial assistance for a total of 80 beneficiaries in the district during the current fiscal year, including 19 cultural organisations and 61 disadvantaged cultural personalities.
DC Afroza Parvin attended the programme as the chief guest.
Additional DC Tariful Hasan and Rajbari District Football Association President Prof Manjurul Alam Dulal were present as special guests. Representatives of various cultural organisations and members of the district's cultural community also attended the event.
Addressing the programme, the DC said State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam had been scheduled to attend as the chief guest but was unable to do so because of official engagements.
She said the financial assistance was being distributed on behalf of the state minister.
Highlighting the importance of culture, Afroza Parvin said it remains one of the foundations of the country's heritage and national identity, adding that the government is committed to supporting people involved in the cultural sector.
She also expressed hope that cultural workers and organisations in Rajbari would receive greater support in the future with the cooperation of the state minister.
The guests formally handed over the grant cheques to the beneficiaries at the end of the programme.
