River that divides India, Bangladesh floods with shared festive spirit

SILCHAR: Boundaries were blurred in a river of faith and festivity on Tuesday as the symbolic undercurrents of the Kushiyara, the river that separates south Assam's Karimganj from Sylhet in Bangladesh, eased amid a joint chorus of Vijaya Dasami invocations to goddess Durga from either bank. Scores of idols were simultaneously immersed at Kalibari Ghat on the Karimganj side of the river and Jakiganj in Sylhet division under the vigil of BSF and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

"More than 80 idols from community Durga Puja celebrations in Karimganj were immersed till late evening," said Karimganj SP Partha Pratim Das.

On the Bangladesh side, there were at least 10 immersion processions. All boats carrying idols, guarded by BSF and BGB personnel, flew the flags of their respective countries.

"The people of Bangladesh and this part of India have a common culture and language, and this comes across during the annual Durga immersions in the Kushiyara. We wish there is more cooperation between the countries," said North Karimganj MLA Kamalaksha Dey Purkayastha. Nearly 270 Durga idols were immersed at Sadhar Ghat point of the Barak river in Silchar. Immersions will continue over the next two days.

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