Welcome Pahela Boishakh

FE Team | Published: April 14, 2013 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

The nation will celebrate "Pahela Boishakh", Bengali New Year 1420 today (Sunday) amid much enthusiasm and traditional gaiety as tens of thousands of people expecting to join the "Nabo Barsho" festivities across the country, reports BSS. Different socio-cultural organisations and government institutions have drawn up elaborate programmes like musical functions, colourful marches and street-side Boishakhi fairs in the capital as elsewhere across the country to welcome the Bengali New Year. However, business communities especially in the rural areas are ready with their traditional 'Halkhata', new account books to welcome the new year. Acting President Abdul Hamid Advocate, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Khaleda Zia issued separate messages greeting the countrymen marking the Pahela Baishakh. The day is a public holiday. Different national dailies will publish colourful supplements while Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar will air special programmes highlighting the significance of the Pahela Baishakh. The programmes of the day will begin in the city with the musical soiree of Chayanat, a leading cultural organisation 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 He 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 organise different programmes including discussions, cultural functions and "Boishakhi Mela" while Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Nazrul Institute, Shilpakala Academy, Jatiya Grahanta Kendro will organise discussion and cultural programmes to mark the day. Besides, Bangla Academy will organize a three-day fair while Bangladesh Lok and Karu Shilpa Foundation will also hold three-day programmes as part of celebrating Pahela Baishakh. All museums will remain open today so that students and disabled children could visit those without tickets. Bangladesh missions abroad will organize separate programmes to mark the day. Improved diet would be served at all prisons, hospitals and orphanages on the occasion.