She was addressing the prize giving ceremony of 'Natun Kuri', a cultural competition of young boys and girls, at Bangladesh Television here yesterday evening.

Ministers, MPs, and a host of cultural activists were present at the function broadcast live on BTV amid a funfair.

Young boys and girls of two age-groups from all over the country participated in the competition in various events, including Rabindra Sangeet (Tagore's songs), Nazrul Geeti, folksongs, dance, drama, Qirat and poetry recitation.

The Prime Minister in her address said cultural exercise is also a practice to build up a "beautiful and happy life" and wished that the 'Natun Kuri' became the fountainhead of building a healthy cultural movement in the country.

Khaleda Zia reminded that the function coincided with the 69th birth anniversary of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, who had taken initiative for the flourishing of the latent talents of the children and 'Natun Kuri' was a part of the endeavor.

She gave away prizes to the winners and also witnessed a cultural show presented by the children of the Natun Kuri troupe.