Dhaka: Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki today emphasized that a nation lacking in history and culture is susceptible to external influences. He remarked, “Whenever one nation wants to dominate another, they do two things first-they say you have no history and own culture. This is the primary step towards subjugation and the nation which denies its culture becomes vulnerable to the other dominant cultures.” Farooki highlighted the importance of cultural heritage in the new Bangladesh following the July uprising, asserting a focus on celebrating and preserving the nation’s cultural assets.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Farooki made these comments while serving as the chief guest at an award ceremony held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The event was organized by the Cultural Affairs Ministry to honor renowned singer Sabina Yasmin. Farooki expressed the significance of recognizing cultural icons, stating, “Sabina Yasmin is one of the great treasures, and today we are here to honor her. Today she will be honoured by the state.”
The adviser noted that while it was initially planned for the Ministry of Cultural Affairs to present the honor, the Chief Adviser himself chose to personally honor Sabina Yasmin by signing the honorary memento. Addressing the societal hesitation to celebrate figures outside traditional frames, Farooki stated, “We want to break that frame,” and shared that the Cabinet recently declared the death anniversary of Lalon as a Class-A National Day to further this initiative.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of such initiatives to celebrate national heritage, stating, “The purpose of all these initiatives is to celebrate our own heritage. Today, we have gathered here to celebrate that heritage through Sabina Apa.” Among those present at the event were Adviser to the Planning Division Professor Wahid Uddin Mahmud, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Sheikh Abdur Rashid, Secretary of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Mofidur Rahman, and Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and BNP standing committee member Salauddin Ahmed. During the ceremony, Adviser Wahid Uddin Mahmud draped a Chador, embroidered with lyrics of Yasmin’s famous songs, over the esteemed singer.