We have to move forward following India, China’s economy: Supradip Chakma

Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma has said, “About 300 crore people live around us in India and China.

Where India and China are moving forward economically, we also want to move forward in that wind. That is why the chief adviser always says, we have no room to lag behind.”

The adviser said these while addressing as the chief guest at a daylong seminar on things to do for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh and development of Buddhist culture in the country on Friday. 

Organised jointly by Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust and Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, the seminar was held in the hall room of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board in Rangamati district.

 “The goal of this government is to protect the rights of all the communities and build a non-communal country. It (government) has opened all the doors for development in the Chittagong Hill Tracts”, he said.

“We, the people of the hilly regions, do not want to be left behind anymore. We want to blend in with the mainstream of the country. All concerned should contribute to the society. We should think about society, religion and the state. Our honorable Chief Adviser and Army Chief have announced to take the country forward maintaining the communal harmony. Everyone has to unite here,” he added.

Supradeep Chakma also said the potential of Kaptai Lake should be utilized properly. He compared Kaptai Lake in Rangamati to gold and said it is possible to develop the country economically by harvesting fish from the water body.

The seminar was chaired by Bhavesh Chakma, vice-chairman of the Buddhist Religion Welfare Trust. The main discussant was Buddhist theorist Professor Dr Sukomal Barua of Dhaka University (DU).

Former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Moni Swapan Dewan, Mong Circle King Saching Pru Chowdhury were present at the seminar while Rajib Kanti Barua, trustee of the Buddhist Religion Welfare 
Trust Board, presented the keynote paper in it.

Shyamal Mitra Chakma delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the organising committee at the seminar.