Bijoya Sammelan in Dhaka: Festival Diplomacy
Why in News?
- The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre celebrated Bijoya Sammelan 2026 at the High Commission of India in Dhaka, Bangladesh, News On AIR reported on 4 November 2026.
- The centre hosted an evening of music and festivities for guests from different walks of life.
- Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi addressed the gathering and stressed harmony, goodwill and togetherness, which the report links to the spirit of Bijoya.
- The event was presented as a celebration of cultural traditions and people-to-people ties between India and Bangladesh.
- UNESCO inscribed Durga Puja in Kolkata on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021.
Key Terminologies
- Bijoya
- The days that follow Vijayadashami, which closes Durga Puja. Bijoya Sammelan is a social gathering at which people exchange greetings and sweets.
- Durga Puja
- An annual autumn festival honouring the goddess Durga, most prominent in Kolkata, West Bengal, and observed by the Bengali diaspora. UNESCO's description says artisans shape clay images from riverbed clay, and the festival ends with immersion in the river.
- Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre
- The cultural centre of the High Commission of India in Dhaka that organised the event. It promotes Indian culture and links with Bangladesh.
- Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Living traditions such as festivals, crafts and rituals that communities pass on. UNESCO keeps a Representative List of them.
- Cultural Diplomacy
- The use of festivals, art and heritage to build understanding between countries. The Dhaka event is an example.
Key Issues
- Festival Across Borders: UNESCO's description says Durga Puja is held in India, most prominently in Kolkata, and also observed by the Bengali diaspora. Bijoya gatherings in Dhaka show how a festival links communities on both sides of a border.
- Global Recognition: The UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee decided in December 2021, at its 16th session, to inscribe Durga Puja in Kolkata, nominated by India. India now has 16 elements on the list after Deepavali was added in December 2025, News On AIR reported.
- Living Craft: UNESCO notes that artisans shape clay images from riverbed clay, and the festival moves from family Pujas to public community Pujas. Skills pass on through families, community Pujas and art schools.
- Inclusion: UNESCO notes the festival involves marginalised groups, including unmarried women, widows, sex workers and transgender persons, and calls it a non-denominational community festival. Safeguarding includes workshops, digital archives and guidelines on crowd, traffic, sound and environmental management.
- People-to-People Ties: The High Commissioner stressed harmony, goodwill and togetherness at the gathering. Festivals offer a non-political way to keep contact between societies.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Soft Power: A cultural centre's event with guests from many backgrounds builds goodwill for India in Bangladesh.
- Heritage Awareness: Highlighting a UNESCO-listed festival raises awareness of intangible cultural heritage and community safeguarding.
- Shared Tradition: The festival belongs to Bengali culture on both sides of the border, which gives a common cultural ground.
- Community Safeguarding: UNESCO's criteria note workshops, training and digital archives, which help pass on skills.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- Limited Detail: The report does not name performers or the programme and gives no attendance figure, so the scale of the event is unclear.
- Event-Based Diplomacy: One evening cannot sustain contact, and ties need regular cultural exchange.
- Environmental Pressure: UNESCO's safeguarding guidelines address crowd, traffic, sound and environment, which shows these are real concerns for large festivals.
- Commercialisation Risk: Large public Pujas can drift from community practice towards spectacle, a risk any festival listing must manage.
Key Initiatives
- Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, High Commission of India in Dhaka: It organised Bijoya Sammelan 2026 with music and festivities, and High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi addressed it.
- UNESCO, December 2021: Its Intergovernmental Committee inscribed Durga Puja in Kolkata on the Representative List, noting safeguarding through workshops, training, digital archives and guidelines.
- UNESCO, December 2025: It inscribed Deepavali at the Red Fort in New Delhi as India's 16th element.
- Consulate General of India in Dubai: On 3 November 2026 it hosted a Diwali celebration with diplomats from 18 countries.
The High Commission says the event celebrates cultural traditions and people-to-people ties between India and Bangladesh. UNESCO says inscription is meant to raise awareness and support safeguarding by the communities concerned. No programme details were given in the report.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Teach the UNESCO criteria for intangible heritage using Durga Puja and Deepavali as case studies.
- Document clay-image craft and drumming traditions in digital archives with artisans' participation.
- Hold regular cultural exchanges in Dhaka and Kolkata, not only festival-season events.
- Publish simple programme and attendance notes after missions' cultural events.
- Promote eco-friendly materials for images and decorations in line with UNESCO's guidance.
The Dhaka event is a modest but useful example of festival diplomacy. It uses a shared Bengali tradition, backed by UNESCO recognition of Durga Puja, to speak of harmony and togetherness. The report gives little detail on the programme, so its scale cannot be judged. In a Mains answer, credit the role of living heritage in neighbourhood relations, then conclude that regular exchanges and community safeguarding matter more than single events.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bijoya Sammelan?
Bijoya Sammelan is a social gathering after Vijayadashami, the closing of Durga Puja, at which people exchange greetings. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre held Bijoya Sammelan 2026 at the High Commission of India in Dhaka, News On AIR reported on 4 November 2026.
When did UNESCO inscribe Durga Puja in Kolkata?
UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee decided to inscribe Durga Puja in Kolkata on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at its 16th session, held online in December 2021. India nominated the festival, according to UNESCO's decision.
Who addressed the Bijoya Sammelan in Dhaka?
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi addressed the gathering, emphasising harmony, goodwill and togetherness, News On AIR reported on 4 November 2026. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre organised the evening of music and festivities.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 UNESCO inscribed Durga Puja in Kolkata on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2021.
India nominated the festival, and the decision was taken at the 16th session of the Intergovernmental Committee.
2 Durga Puja images are traditionally shaped from granite.
UNESCO says artisans shape clay images from riverbed clay.
3 Bijoya Sammelan 2026 in Dhaka was organised by the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre.
It was held at the High Commission of India.