A daylong sports competition and cultural programme for the Santal youth men and women was held on the premises of Seventh Day Adventist Pre-Seminary School at Tallapara village under Kamdia Union of Gobibdaganjupazila in the district today.

Abalamban Foundation, a voluntary organization of the district arranged the function in cooperation with European Union, Plan International and Article 19, sources said.

In this regard, a concluding ceremony was also heldon school premises this afternoon with indigenous leader Maria Murmu in the chair.

Executive director of Abamban Foundation ProbirChakrabartee, teacher AhaduzzamanRimu, women leader Najma Begum, former councilor SajedaParveenRunu,  convener of Adibashi –BangaliSanghatiparishad, Sadarupazila unit, Golam Rabbani Musa, member secretary of SamazikSangramparishad Hasan MorshedDipon, spoke at the discussion meeting among others.

The speakers in their speeches said the small ethnic groups of the plain land  are on the verge of extinction.

The cultureof the groups is also disappearing and they have become the poorest and landless community in Bangladesh, theyalsosaid.

Considering their matter and existence, the government should take pragmatic measure to protect the language and culture of the small ethnic community without delay.

In this perspective, they demanded of the government to form separate ministry for indigenous people immediately.

Later, crests and prizes were distributed to the winners who participated in the competition on different events.