Staff and students participants from Don Bosco College, Tura who took part in the Indo-Bangla Cultural Exchange Program 2025 organized by Caritas Bangladesh, Mymensingh Region.
The Indo-Bangla Cultural Exchange Program 2025 was organized by Caritas Bangladesh, Mymensingh Region from 9th to 16th February 2025. The first of its kind historic program was organized under the terms and conditions of the MoU signed between Don Bosco College, Tura (India) and Caritas Mymensingh Region (Bangladesh). On the part of Don Bosco College, it all began with its desire to collaborate with a partner across the border to strengthen cultural ties and understanding and support any cultural endeavour vis-a-vis Garos of India and Bangladesh, among some other things. One of the terms of the MoU is to organize one program each (by both countries) annually where the Garo participants of both the countries can come together and exchange ideas, folk-skills, and foster greater sense of unity and belonging.
The exchange centered around Garo folk dance – Wangala, Garo folk instruments and Garo folk songs. The dissemination of learning was accorded by both the host and the visiting participants and of the 48 (forty-eight) participants from both the countries, 11 (eleven) participants from India and some from Bangladesh took upon themselves double roles of participants and resource persons.
The participants from Don Boco College, Tura – Dimdim M. Sangma, Matchan Ch. Momin, Silbesha G. Momin, Channe N. Sangma and Owesa Anttame M. Sangma also donned the role of Resource Persons and taught Wangala Dance to the participants from Bangladesh. Haijest N. Marak and Jerim Ch. Sangma, participants from Don Bosco College, Tura were the Resource Persons for the simple yet rather intricate folk instrument Chigring; while the other students – Waldo R. Marak, Lashmi K. Sangma, Berinda A. Sangma and Clinton R. Marak were the Resource Persons for Garo Folk Songs. Kambin D. Sangma joined later for the community experience. It was truly an Exchange Program with Resource Persons from Bangladesh shedding light on a number of performances and ideas. The students from Don Bosco College was led by Dr. Barbara S. Sangma, Associate Professor, Department of English and Coordinator- Internal Quality Assurance Cell; Dr. Colnat B. Marak was the Subject-Expert for the Seminar and Dr. Ama Katchi Ch. Marak was the official Escort. The Principal of the College, Fr. Januarius S. Sangma was also present for the Grand Finale of the Indo-Bangla Cultural Exchange Program 2025.
On 13th and 14th February the participants from Don Bosco College, Tura (Meghalaya, India) had the rare opportunity of visiting Abima, an area in Bangladesh where the greatest number of Garos are to be found. The participants experienced first-hand Mi·mang Kam (post-funeral ceremony), and had family experiences as they were hosted by different families. Moreover, the participants also participated in a Garo Christian Wedding and met and interacted with great many people.
This program held at Caritas Mymensingh Region was the second one as the first one was held at Don Bosco College, Tura (India) from 7th to 12th 2024. The participants and the teachers from India came back equipped with new insights and knowledge about the Garos in Bangladesh not to mention the Certificates of Appreciation.
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