<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000;">The fifth Bangladesh- India Cultural meet kicked off on Saturday with a colourful civic reception being given to the visiting guests from India and dignitaries in Rajshahi. The function was presided over by the Mayor of Rajshahi city AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.<br />''<br />'' Several prominent public figures like the agriculture minister Dr. Abdur Razzak, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Vikram Doraiswami, Tripura State Minister Ramprasad Pal among others were present on the occasion.<br />''<br />''Friends of Bangladesh and Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) are jointly hosting the four-day event between Feb 25-28 to celebrate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the golden jubilee of the liberation of Bangladesh and 50th year of Bangladesh India Friendship.<br />''<br />''Speaking on the occasion Agriculture Minister Abdur Razzak said that India is Bangladesh's closest neighbour. He said that cultural fairs help in bringing the people of the two countries together. He said people of the two countries are enjoying the benefits of the friendly relation in different fields, reports BSS. <br />''<br />''Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton recalled with gratitude India's contribution in the liberation war of Bangladesh . He said the relationship between the two countries will become stronger through such cultural exchanges. <br />''<br />''High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami underlined the importance of cultural exchanges in strengthening the people to people relations between the two countries. He also handed over a state of art ambulance to Rajshahi City Corporation at Nagar Bhaban on Saturday as a gift from India. <br />''<br />''Tripura State Government Minister Ramprasad Pal said that such gatherings are making a significant contribution to deepen the relationship between the people of India and Bangladesh.<br />''<br />''Cultural programmes, visits to historic places and public reception have been organised for the visiting guests and dignitaries as part of the cultural meet. </span><br />