Bangladesh’s national fish took the spotlight in New Delhi on Saturday, September 26, as the Bangladesh High Commission hosted a vibrant Hilsa Fest at its Maitree Auditorium, bringing together Indian politicians, diplomats, academics, journalists and cultural figures for an evening centred on food and heritage.
A Celebration Of Hilsa And Bengali Identity
The festival showcased a wide range of hilsa dishes alongside traditional Bangladeshi cuisine, giving guests a taste of the country’s culinary diversity. Hilsa, deeply woven into Bengali heritage, holds a special place in cultural and religious traditions on both sides of the border, and the event was designed to introduce Indian guests to the emotions, customs and social significance tied to the fish in Bengali life.
A New Book On Hilsa Unveiled
A highlight of the evening was the unveiling of “A Fish Called Ilish,” a book published in Dhaka, by several prominent Indian personalities. Guests at the festival included former Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and journalist MJ Akbar, former diplomat and politician Mani Shankar Aiyar, human rights activist Syeda Hameed, former ambassador Ronen Sen and sociologist Ashis Nandy.
What The High Commissioner Said
Speaking after the book launch, Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Md Riaz Hamidullah said hilsa is deeply woven into Bangladesh’s national identity and remains closely tied to the country’s social and economic life. He noted that Bangladesh maintains five hilsa sanctuaries and has undertaken several initiatives to boost breeding and production, which he said have contributed to steady improvements in hilsa conservation and output over the years.
Discover More Stories Worth Your Time
See Which Foods Ease Seasonal Changes?
Explore five comforting foods that can help you feel your best.
Explore Why Wages Stay Frozen?
Discover how stagnant minimum wages are affecting Bangladesh’s garment workers and families.
Check How Conflict Hurts Jobs?
Explore why Middle East tensions could threaten Bangladesh’s jobs and poverty gains.
Learn How To Spot H1N1?
Discover H1N1 symptoms, prevention tips, and essential facts for Bangladesh.
Find Which Netflix Picks Worth Watching?
Discover binge-worthy Netflix choices for a relaxing weekend at home.
Part Of A Broader Cultural Push
The Hilsa Fest follows the Bangladesh High Commission’s first-ever Jamdani Exposition at Delhi’s National Crafts Museum earlier this month, which showcased the country’s celebrated handwoven textile, including two rare 150-year-old pieces. Together, the two events reflect a deliberate cultural diplomacy push by the mission in recent weeks, using food and craft to build closer people-to-people connections between the two countries.
Why It Matters
Hilsa has long carried diplomatic weight in India-Bangladesh relations, from the tradition once known as “hilsa diplomacy” to recurring disputes over export bans around festivals like Durga Puja. Against that backdrop, Saturday’s festival offered a warmer, cultural counterpoint, with guests praising both the taste of Bangladeshi hilsa and the organisation of the event, and expressing hope that such exchanges would help strengthen ties between the peoples of the two nations, even as official diplomatic relations continue to navigate a complex phase.
