Mejban held in festive mood

Singer Ayub Bachchu performs at a function at the Dhanmondi Women¿s Sports Complex in the city yesterday, organised by Chittagong Samity, Dhaka.. PHOTO: STAR

About 30 thousand Chittagonians living in the capital, gathered at the Dhanmondi Women Sports Complex to celebrate the annual get-together and joined lunch served with special beef menu.

The port city's famous chef Abul Miah prepared the dishes with his 45 aides. Organisers claimed that 140 cows and 14 goats were slaughtered to entertain the guests.

As a part of the festival, four eminent personalities of Chittagong were awarded the Chittagong Samity Medal-2006 for their contribution in the respective fields.

They are Prof Ashab Uddin Ahmed (posthumously) for his contribution in social work, Dr Jafrullah Chowdhury for healthcare, popular actress Kobori Sarwar for acting and Prof Abdul Karim as a historian.

The stage turned to a common platform for both the ruling party and the opposition politicians hailing from Chittagong at the discussion session.

Fisheries and Livestock minister Abdullah-Al-Noman, convenor of the Chittagong district unit of Muktijoddha Sangsad and former president of the Samity Engineer Afsaruddin, left leaning politicians Moinuddin Khan Badal of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Dilip Barua of Sammyabadi Dal sat together on the same stage.

All the speakers and the moderator delivered their speeches in the Chittagonian colloquial that often seemed Greek to the non-Chittagonian guests. But all the audiences under the huge tarpaulin enjoyed the exceptional speeches where the usually antagonist sides were common in saying about the interest of Chittagong, their beloved birthplace.

"If the bridge on the Karnaphuli is not built before the next elections I will not compete," Noman said adding that the interest of Chittagong should be uphold irrespective of party affiliations or difference of views.

JSD leader Badal's speech full of humour and wit was highly appreciated by the audience.

The programme began at 9:00am and ended in the afternoon after musical performances by eminent artists from the port city followed by a raffle draw.

Ayub Bachchu, Nakib Khan and other band stars rendered songs while popular model Nobel conducted the cultural function.

Different organisations set stalls and display booths with their commodities at the WSC premises. A Citicell banner 'Mejjan-o moji jaan' (Enjoy our hospitality), drew attention of all.

The election to the Samity Executive Committee will be held on December 30.