Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid on Monday said the children, adolescent and youth should be imbued with the spirit of the Liberation War and non-communalism to protect them from the poison of fanaticism, communalism, drugs, terrorism and militancy.

‘Cultural activities play a vital role in creating discipline, nationalism, patriotism and communal harmony among the adolescent and youth. We’ve to imbue our children, teenagers and youths with the spirit of the Liberation War and non-communalism to save them from the poison of fanaticism, communalism, drugs, terrorism and militancy,’ he said, reports the UNB.

He further said, ‘We have to inform them that there’s no place for militancy or communalism in our beloved motherland as we have a long tradition of communal harmony. I firmly believe cultural activities will play an in important role in building the future generation as a modern, cultural-oriented and creative nation.’

The President came up with the remarks while distributing ‘Bangladesh Shilpakala Padak 2017’ at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) auditorium.

He also underscored the need for spreading Bangladesh’s culture across the world.

Mentioning the courageous role of the cultural personalities in inspiring the mass people during the Language Movement and the Liberation War, Abdul Hamid said, ‘Their role is always praiseworthy and exemplary. Cultural activists played a bold role in need or crisis of the nation.’

Turning to the awardees, he expressed the hope that the awards will encourage them to make more contributions to their respective fields. ‘Young artistes will also be encouraged by your success,’ he said.

He also hoped that Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will continue its relentless efforts to uphold the thousand years’ traditional culture.

At the programme, the President handed over the awards to seven cultural celebrities. Each awardee got a cheque for Tk 1 lakh, a certificate and a gold medal.

The awardees are Aluddin Mia in instrumental music, Sharmila Bandyopadhyay in dance, Nasir Ali Mamun in photography, Chandra Shekhar Dey in fine arts, Kangalini Sufia in folk culture, SM Mohsin in dramatics and Mihir Lala in music.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor was present as the programme held with Cultural Affairs Secretary Mohammad Nasir Uddin in the chair.

Shilpakala Academy Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky delivered the welcome speech.