DHAKA: Banglalink, one of the largest mobile telecom operators in the country, is sponsoring events celebrating the Bengali New Year, Pohela Boishakh 1421 nationwide like previous years in all major cities – Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Khulna, Bogra and Mymensingh.

Pohela Baishakh is the first day of the Bengali Calendar celebrated all over the country. New Year`s festivities are closely linked with rural life in Bengal.

Boishakhi fairs are traditionally arranged with various agricultural products, handicrafts, toys, cosmetics, and regional cuisine.

The fairs become a communal meeting ground, catering also to entertainment, with singers and dancers staging jatra, pala gaan, kobigaan, jarigaan, gambhira, gazir gaan etc. Folk music the likes of baul, marfati, murshidi, bhatiali are also celebrated, among traditional Bengali puppet show and morning rally.

Pohela Baishakh is a time of renewal, ushered in with celebration of the Bengali life. It is celebrated ubiquitously nationwide, regardless of the person’s class, politics, religion or place in the social strata.

This year, in Chittagong, the two-day-long event will be held at Chittagong DC Hill on April 13 and 14. “Shammilito Pohela Baishakh Udjapon Parishod” will organize the event, with Boishakhi Fair, discussion session, group dance, group songs and colorful cultural show; morning rally will be main attraction for the visitors. This is the seventh consecutive time Banglalink is going to sponsor this prestigious event.

In Khulna “Nagar Shamajik Shanskritik Kendra” will organize a three day event at Hadis Park Field on April 14, 15 and 16. The event includes children art competition, baul songs, folk songs & dance, Stick playing, hadudu, Baishakhi mela etc. This is the fifth consecutive time banglalink is going to sponsor this event in Khulna.

In Bogra, “Din Bodoler Moncho” is going to organize the two-daylong event on Aprol 13 and 14 at Shatmatha (Temple Road). Art exhibitions, baul songs, rally, art competition, group songs, group dance, panta hilsha fest, bhawaia songs etc. will be held. Banglalink has been sponsoring this event for last seven years.

In Sylhet, “Sruti Sylhet” will organize the event on April 14. The event will be the biggest in this region at Blue Bird School and College premises, Subid Bazar, Sylhet. Group songs, group dance, Baul songs and pleasant cultural program by Indian singers will be performed this year.

In Mymensingh, an event including drama and traditional music and dance will be held on April 13, 14 and 15 at Town Hall Mukto Monch, Shaheed Minar organized by Mymensingh Seba Niketan. This is the fifth consecutive year Banglalink is sponsoring the event.

Ziad Satara, CEO, Banglalink has said, “Banglalink has set itself apart amidst corporate entities as one that is keenly aware of and proud of upholding and promoting our local cultures and traditions. The Bengali New Year is the biggest event of the year for Bengalis and we are proud to usher in another year of making a difference with so much celebration and happiness.”

Banglalink, a subsidiary of Netherlands based Vimpelcom Ltd, has 29 million subscribers in the country.

BDST: 1104 HRS, APR 13, 2014