On 6th Nov 2013 the two border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh- conducted the first ever Retreat Ceremony at Petrapole-Benapole post on the International Boundary between the two countries. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in full ceremonial regalia lowered their respective national flags in a cordial manner reflecting the harmonious relations revived between both nations. Present at this historic event were home ministers of India and Bangladesh, Messrs Sushilkumar Shinde and Dr Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir respectively, who unveiled a plaque and released white pigeons and balloons.
A grand cultural programme based on common culture and traditions of both the nations, in which school children and artists from both the countries participated, was prepared and presented under the direction of ADG(East) BSF B D Sharma, and Smt Alokananda Roy. A music album created for the ceremony including poems and songs of Kobiguru Rabindra Nath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Jibananda Das, Sufi Lalon Fakir etc, was released. Also present were Messrs G C Naskar, MP of Bangaon, India, Alhaj Muhammad Afil Uddin, Member of Parliament, Bangladesh, Tariq A Karim, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Pankaj Saran, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Smt Abida Islam, Dy High Commissioner, Bangladesh, Major General Aziz Ahmed, DG, BGB and Subhash Joshi, DG, BSF.
