The Wangala festival or Garo Navanna festival of Garo community is celebrated by dedicating to the creator through various festivals to bring home the new crop. In continuation of this, a two-day long Dhaka Wangala 2022 has been organized at the Lalmatia Housing Society School and College grounds in Lalmatia, Dhaka by the initiative of the Garo community living in the city.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar inaugurated the Dhaka Wangala on Thursday night.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, the Minister said that although Wangala is the main festival of the Garo community, such an event will bring together all the people in the society. It will awaken people’s conscience to create love for nature and creation.
Pointing out that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government is working very sincerely for the socio-economic development of all ethnic groups including the Garos, the minister said that as people of all communities worked unitedly during the liberation war, now we all have to build the country so that we can make ourselves known as a proud nation all over the world.
He said, we are proud as citizens of the nation state established by Bangabandhu. Mr. Mustafa Jabbar, the pioneer of digital technology development, highlighted various programs taken by the government for the development of backward communities and said, 28 neighborhood centers in the hilly regions have been converted into digital classrooms for children by the initiative of the Department of Posts and Telecommunications. He assured all possible cooperation in setting up similar institutions for children in other remote areas.
Member of Parliament Jewel Areng, Bangladesh ILO Country Director Tumo Potiinen, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjib Drang and Bangladesh Awami League Central Executive Member Raymond Arang spoke at the event.
Earlier, the Minister inaugurated the Dhaka Wangala 2022 by lighting the lamp. The minister unveiled the souvenirs released on the occasion of the Wangala celebrations.
Wangala is the major religious and social festival of the Garo people of the plains living in the Meghalaya state of northeastern India and the greater Mymensingh and Sunamganj regions of Bangladesh. It is also known as Wanna. It is celebrated in Garo Hills from September to December every year. This harvesting festival is dedicated to the Creator of Garos.