'Pahela Baishakh', Bengali New Year 1431, is being celebrated amid much enthusiasm and traditional gaiety on Sunday (April 14).

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 programmes of the day has begun in the capital with the musical soiree of Chhayanat, a leading cultural organisation of the country at Ramna Batamul at dawn.
 
Traditional Mangal Shobhajatra was brought out from Dhaka University (DU) Fine Arts Faculty premises in the morning.

Mangal Shobhajatra was 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 issued separate messages greeting the countrymen on the eve of the Pahela Baishakh yesterday.

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.

Bangladesh missions abroad will also organise different programmes to welcome the Bengali New Year.

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: 1236 HRS, APR 14, 2024
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