The country is set to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year-1430, on Friday (April 14) upholding the rich cultural values and rituals of the Bangalees.
'The Bangla Nabobarsho festival' is also going to be celebrated at its traditional venue Ramna Batamul in the capital.
This year, the first day of the Bangla calendar, will be celebrated following its all rituals at the venue along with bringing out the traditional 'Mangal Shovajatra' (procession) organized by the Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University.
But, due to the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, it will be celebrated on a limited scale.
People are expected to join the "Nabo Barsho" festivities across the country, particularly in the capital city.
Pahela Baishakh is one of the most colourful festivals through which the Bangalees bid farewell to the old year and welcome the New Year.
On this occasion, people from all walks of life wear traditional Bengali dresses.
Young women wear white sarees with red borders and adorn themselves with bangles, flowers, and tips, while men wear white pyjamas and panjabi or kurta.
The government has drawn up an elaborate programme. The Mongol Shovajatra will be brought out at divisional, district and upazila levels to reach the traditional programme to the grassroots as it has earned the international recognition.
However, business communities, especially in the rural areas, are ready to open their traditional 'Halkhata', new account books. On the day traders also offer sweets to customers.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are expected to issue separate messages greeting the countrymen on the eve of the Pahela Baishakh.
Different government and non-government organisations, socio-cultural platforms, including Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Bangla Academy, Department of Public Libraries, the National Museum, Kabi Nazrul Institute, Copyright Office, National Book Centre, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), the Department of Archives and Library and Dhaka University will hold various programmes along with seminars, exhibitions and quiz, essay and art compositions to observe the day.
As part of the Bengali New Year celebrations, Baishakhi rallies will be organized in all districts, upazilas and unions of the country.
The law enforcement agencies will take extensive security measures across the country so that people could celebrate the day.
The day is a public holiday.
Different national dailies and news portals will publish colourful supplements while Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV and radio channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of Pahela Baishakh.
BDST: 1235 HRS, APR 13, 2023
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