Book Launching Program on Patro Indigenous Community held in Sylhet City
On 18 October 2020, a book launching program on Patro Indigenous Community’s tradition, language and glossary was held at Zila Parishad Hall Room in Sylhet by Patro Sompradai Kalayan Parishad (PASKOP) in cooperation with Kapaeeng Foundation, International Labour Organization and European Commission where Pallab Chakma, executive director of Kapaeeng Foundation; Poet, Writer and Literary A K Sheram, president of Munipuri Language Research and Development Organization: Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary, BAPA, Sylhet; Md. Irfanuzzaman Chowdury, coordinator, BLAST, Sylhet; Ziaur Rahman Shipar, coordinator, FIVDB; Uzzal Azim, program manager of Kapaeeng Foundation as honorary guest and Joydev Kumar Bhadra, aditional DIG, Bangladesh Police, Sylhet Range as Chief Guest were present in this event.
The speakers told that this is a good initiative for Patro indigenous community in regard to preserve and revive their tradition, language, words, customs etc. This indigenous community is little in number. They are now almost 4000 in number in Bangladesh. So, these books will show the way to work further on Patro community as part of saving their existence.
In his speech, the chief guest Joydev Kumar Bhadra requested the indigenous participants to go to his office and discuss their problems they face. He told that people mainly from indigenous community do not want to come to the police. They are poor, simple and back warded people in Bangladesh. Bangladesh government has taken some initiatives for their development. Quota system in education and job sector is one of them. Considering this, he shared his experiences on recruiting police constable from Hajong and Garo indigenous communities when he was in Mymensing. He also added that family is benefited when a bangalee get a job, but the whole community is benefited when a indigenous candidate get a job. Laboni Swarti, coordinator of PASKOP has given a concept on indigenous Patro community and conducted the event and Gourango Patro, executive director of PASKOP has presided over this program.
