Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Momata Banarjee sat in a cozy meeting outside the field when the Gardens with a capacity crowed of 65000 was hosting the first day night Pink Test match between Bangladesh and India.
After the meeting, Sheikh Hasina said that I have brought the good wishes of Bangladesh people with me. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly invited me to watch this match, so I have come. Practically I have come to enjoy the day night match being played by pink ball for the first time in this sub-continent.
On Friday (Nov.22) Sheikh Hasina – Momata beeting began at local time 6 pm at Hotel Taj Bengal.
We always remember the help and cooperation of the Indians with extreme gratitude they had extended during our great war of liberation led by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971. So I express my gratitude to the people of this country always. I feel very fine when I come to this country.
Remembering the Freedom Struggle she said that then about one crore Bangladeshi refugees took shelter in this country. The Indian people helped them in every way. We always remember it. We always want that the existing neighborly relations be further strengthened and maintained.
She said that though we could not play better cricket this time, but I hope we would do better in future.
After the close meeting was over, the CM of West Bengal Momata Banarjee said that there has been always good relation with Bangladesh. We had a lot of discussion with PM Sheikh Hasina. I have invited her to visit us again. We want that the existing relation with Bangladesh be ever lasting.
According CM secretariat Nabanna, Momata presented Sheikh Hasina one Swrana Chura Sari and two Kashmiri shawls.
Earlier Sheikh Hasina reached Kolkata at 10 am at the invitation of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly to watch the first day night match between Bangladesh – India Pink Test at the Eden Gardens.
Sheikh Hasina and Momata Banarjee formally inaugurated the match by ringing the bell at the Eden Gardens. Sheikh Hasina returned the capital at 11-30 pm after ending her day long official visit to Kolkata.