People busy purchasing traditional handicrafts on Friday ahead of Bangla new year today (Saturday) at Doel Chattar in the city — FE photo The nation celebrates Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla calendar year, today (Saturday) amid festivity and enthusiasm across the country.
The day is a public holiday.
People from all walks of life waiting to welcome the Bangla New Year 1425 were seen crowding the city's different shopping malls, flower shops and roadside pottery shops to buy punjabis, trousers, saris, flowers and traditional Baishakhi products.
All government and private establishments and educational institutions will celebrate the day by arranging different programmes.
Different socio-cultural organisations and institutions have chalked out various programmes to observe the country's biggest cultural festival.
On the occasion, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages conveying their New Year's greetings to the people of the country and all Bangla-speaking people across the world.
Traders and shopkeepers across the country will open 'Halkhata' (new book of accounts) and entertain customers and visitors with sweets on the day as part of the tradition and culture.
Foolproof security measures have already been taken to celebrate the New Year peacefully and to make it joyful for all.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said stringent security measures have been taken for smooth celebrations of Pahela Baishakh across the country.
Rapid Action Battalion Director General Benazir Ahmed said on Friday that the elite force has taken stringent security measures across the country to mark the festival.
As per security measures, the helicopter would patrol to ensure safety and security for the city people during the festival, he added.
Mobile courts will be conducted to prevent thugs from harassing women at Ramna and adjacent areas. There will be divers of RAB at Ramna and Hatirjheel, the RAB chief said.
On Thursday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) issued a number of security advisories, including banning carrying of bags, for the city dwellers for smooth and peaceful celebrations of Pahela Baishakh.
Besides, the DMP issued a traffic advisory ahead of the festival. According to the traffic advisory of DMP, people should use 26 diverted points for traffic movement centring the Ramna Park and Suhrawardy Udyan on April 14.
Students of the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University on Saturday morning will take out a 'Mongol Shuvojatra (a procession of good wishes)' led by Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman.
Local administrations will arrange discussions and fairs in their respective areas to spread the message and recognition of Pahela Baishakh.
The foreign missions and embassies will also organise different programmes to mark the day.
State-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar and the private TV channels will air special programmes on the day.
President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave messages on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh.
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