The country is set to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year-1431, on Sunday (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.
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.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels will live broadcast the programmes.
Mangal Shobhajatra will also be brought out at divisional, district and upazila levels to reach the traditional programme to the grassroots as it has earned the international recognition. Mangal Shobhajatra was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in
2016.
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 Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issue separate messages greeting the countrymen on the eve of the Pahela Baishakh in the afternoon today.
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 competitions marking the festival.
The city people usually start the day with the traditional breakfast of 'panta bhat' (soaked rice), green chili, onion and fried fish at Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Uddyan, Dhaka University Campus, Rabindra Sarobor at Dhanmondi and other amusement places.
On the occasion, all museum and archaeological sites will remain open for allwhile children, students, people with disabilities and autism will be allowed to visit the museum free of cost.
On the occasion, improved traditional food will be distributed to jail inmates, and patients in hospitals and orphanages.
Bangladesh missions abroad will also organise different programmes to welcome the Bengali New Year.
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.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV and radio channels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of Pahela Baishakh.
BDST: 1250 HRS, APR 13, 2024
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