Indo-Bangla joint mountaineering expedition begins on May 12

A total of 12 mountaineers from the two Saarc countries will take part in the expedition to 6187-metre-high Rubal Kung.

The expedition titled 'AB Bank Challenge Bangladesh-India Joint Mountaineering Expedition 2007, Mount Rubal Kung' has been sponsored by AB Bank Ltd.

The details of the expedition, first of its kind in Saarc countries, were formally announced at a press conference organised by Kewkradong Bangladesh at the Bengal Shilpalaya café in the city yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, leader of the team Muntasir Mamun Imran expressed the hope that the expedition will help strengthen peace through promoting regional cooperation.

The other members of the expedition include HM Sirajul Haq, ARK Reepon, Saad Bin Hossain and Enam Talukdar.

Besides, seven climbers from Mountaineers' Association of Krishnanagar in West Bengal will join the expedition which will end on June 14, he added.

Speaking as chief guest Riaz Hamidullah, director (Saarc and Bimstec) of the foreign affairs ministry, said the governments has taken the initiative to boost communication among the Saarc countries at private level.

Director General of Bengal Foundation Luva Nahid Chowdhury and AB Bank Ltd President and Managing Director Kaiser A Chowdhury also spoke.