B'desh Bhavan will become pilgrimage hub: Mamata

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday expressed her government's desire to build a Bangabandhu Bhavan in the memory of Bangladesh's founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Speaking at the inauguration of Bangladesh Bhavan in the presence of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is the daughter of Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said: "After discussions between the two countries, whenever we are entrusted with the responsibility, we will do it."

Speaking about the Indo-Bangladesh relation, Mamata said the two nations have a "continuous and steadfast relationship", and exuded confidence that the Bangladesh Bhavan would become a "centre of pilgrimage" in the years to come.

"Indo-Bangladesh ties will remain in fine fettle forever. Bangladesh Bhavan, I feel will become a centre of pilgrimage in the years to come. The two countries have shared a continuous and steadfast relationship since 1971 (when Bangladesh became independent)."

Appreciating the newly-constructed structure, she thanked Viswa Bharati for inviting her.

Banerjee also laid stress on the shared cultural heritage of West Bengal and Bangladesh — both having a majority of Bengali-speaking people.

She said both India and Bangladesh have high regards for poets Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.

"Just like India can't think without Rabindranath (Tagore) and Nazrul, Bangladesh also can't think without them."

She added: "Tomorrow (Saturday) is Kazi Nazrul Islam's birthday here. In Bangladesh, the celebrations are taking place today (Friday)."