Kushtia's Kuthibari to be developed as tourist centre: Cultural minister

The historic Kuthibari in Kushtia's Shilaidaha, associated with the memories of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, will be developed as a tourist centre, Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury said today (8 May).

"The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism are jointly working on the initiative," the minister said after inaugurating the three-day national celebration at the Shilaidaha Rabindra Kuthibari in the district's Kumarkhali upazila, marking the 165th birth anniversary of the poet.

"Kushtia has a distinct cultural heritage. Lalon Shah's Akhrabari is the heart of folk music and a matter of pride for the district. Contemporary poets and writers had been influenced by Lalon's philosophy," he added.

Nitai Roy further said, "Rabindranath Tagore's Kacharibari in Sirajganj's Shahzadpur has already been renovated. Renovation work will continue every year as required."

The minister also informed that the government is working to develop all heritage sites under the Department of Archaeology into tourist centres.