DHAKA: People from all stratums of the country will celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year 1421, on Monday amid much traditional gaiety and enthusiasm.

The day is a public holiday.

Millions of people from all walks of life are expected to join the Nabo Barsho celebration across country.

To welcome the Bengali New Year, different socio-cultural organizations and government institutions have chalked out various programmes like musical functions, colourful processions and street side Baishakhi fairs in the capital Dhaka as elsewhere across the country.
Meanwhile, businessmen especially in the rural areas are ready with their traditional Halkhata to welcome the Bengali New Year.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have already greeted the nation in separate messages on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh.  

In his message, President said, “Pahela Baishakh will strengthen our national unity and the message of joy leaving past behind.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her messages greeted the countrymen saying, “Nabo Barsho will empower us to prevent communality, fanaticism and ill power against country.”

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Bangla Academy will publish colourful supplements at the different national dailies upholding the significance of the Pahela Baishakh.

Besides, Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the Bengali New Year, Pahela Baishakh.

The programmes of the day will begin in the city with the musical soiree of Chayanat, a leading cultural organization of the country at Ramna Batamul at dawn.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV channels will telecast live programme of "Chhayanat".

Chhayanat artistes will open the function with Tagore’s famous song---Eso Hey Baishakh Eso Eso, welcoming Baishakh. Noted artistes will also render solo and chorus songs at the function.

City people will start the day with the traditional breakfast of `panta bhat` (soaked rice), green chillies, onion, and fried Hilsha fish at Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University Campus, Rabindra Sarobor at Dhanmondi and other amusement places.

The Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University (DU) will bring out a colourful procession from campus with decorative replicas of animals as well as elements of Bengali culture.

According the government programmes, local administrations will organize different programmes including discussions, cultural functions and "Rural Boishakhi Mela" at all the upazilas and divisional cities and fifty-seven district sadars across the country.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will organize three-day function to mark the day while Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Bangla Academy, the Department of Public Library, Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka University, cultural institutes of the different indigenous people will organize different functions.

Bangladesh Lok and Karu Shilpa Foundation will organize traditional `Boishaki Mela` to celebrate the Bengali New Year Pahela Boishakh.

To mark the Bengali New Year, improved diet will be provided at all the central jails, Hospitals and orphanage centres.

All museums will remain open tomorrow so that students and disabled children could visit those without tickets. All the educational institutions across the country will celebrate the Bengali New Year with their own arrangement.

Bangladesh missions abroad will organize separate programmes to mark the day.

Meanwhile, authorities have taken intensified security vigil across the country as thousands of revelers are expected to join Nabo Barsho celebrations in the city`s traditional spots as well as other parts of the country.

The elite anti-crime force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police installed close circuit cameras and security arches while plain clothes security personnel were posted alongside the street patrols at the main festival venues including the Ramna Batamul here.

Celebrations of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla Calendar Year, started from Emperor Akbar`s reign when it was customary to clear up all dues on the last day of Bengali month Chaitra with businessmen opening halkhata or new book of accounts in their shops.

On the second day the Bengalee New Year, President Advocate Abdul Hamid will accord reception to the leading writers, poets, litterateurs, cultural personalities and learned persons who conferred with the Ekushey and Independence awards at the Bangabhaban.

BDST: 1950 HRS, APR 13, 2014