The nation is set to celebrate Pahela Boishakh, the Bangla New Year's Day tomorrow (Monday) amid fairs, open air concerts, colourful rallies and distribution of sweets, reports UNB.
The day is a public holiday.
Celebration of Pahela Boishakh has become an integral part of Bengalis since it began over six centuries ago.
Mughal Emperor Akbar introduced the Bangla calendar in 1556 of the Gregorian calendar, in a bid to streamline the timing of land tax collection in the then 'Subah Bangla' region, most of which falls under Bangladesh.
True to the centuries old tradition, people of all walks of life will gather in funfairs to welcome the Bangabda (Bangla year) 1421 Monday, with new hopes and aspirations.
The city's shopping malls are already buzzing with customers buying colourful traditional wears, including Saree and Panjabi.
Like each year, an ensemble from Chayanat will start their celebration by singing the famous Tagore song 'Esho hey Boishakh, esho esho' at the early hours Monday.
Students of the Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University will also bring out a jovial procession with festoons and replicas of animals and other traditional objects.
Many organisations have also chalked out elaborate programmes throughout the day.
The government has taken stringent security measures across the country ahead of the occasion.
In the capital, Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Rapid Action Battalion will set up separate control rooms at Ramna Park.
Besides, Rab's helicopter will also remain standby for emergency rescue operation.
Special security measures have also be taken at key shopping malls, markets, business establishments in the city.
Special control rooms will be set up at Police headquarters, all metropolitan police, Ranges, and district police super's offices to coordinate the security arrangements.
Rab will set up 32 check-posts and four rooftop observation posts at Ramna Batamul in the capital on the day to ensure foolproof security.
RAB sources said around 8000 RAB members will be deployed across the country to ensure peaceful celebration of Pahela Boishakh.
Police will mount tight security across the country so people can celebrate Bengali New Year's Day, Pahela Boishakh, peacefully.
Close open air programmes by 6 pm : DMP
UNB another report: Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Benazir Ahmed asked the organisers on Saturday to wrap up open air Pahela Boishakh functions by 6:00 pm.
Hundreds of open air rallies, music concert and fairs have been planned in the capital city to celebrate the Pahela Boishakh tomorrow (Monday).
Tens of thousands of people - men, women and children - are expected to pour into the streets and parks to greet the first day of Bangla year 1421.
Ramna Park, Shuhrawardy Uddyan and Rabindra Sorobor are among the flash points of the celebration.
The DMP commissioner told a news conference that adequate security measures have been taken for peaceful celebration.
"We hope the city dwellers will cooperate with the law enforcing agencies in smooth celebration of the festival," he said.
Barricades will be set up at 22 strategic points in the capital to bar vehicles from the celebration venues, he added.
He requested the city residents not to carry bags, knives, nail cutters and blazing objects at the celebration venues.
"Don't smoke publicly…please inform police whenever you notice any suspicious object or person at celebration venues," he said.
Senior police officers of DMP were present during the press briefing.
