Bangladesh celebrates Pohela Boishakh with zeal

Pohela Boishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year 1431, is being celebrated across Bangladesh on Sunday with festivity, upholding the rich cultural values and rituals of the Bangalis. A huge number of people are expected to join the festivities across the country, particularly in Dhaka. Pohela Boishakh is one of the most colourful festivals through which the Bangalis bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. On this occasion, people from all walks of life wear traditional Bangali dresses. Women wear white sarees with red borders and adorn themselves with bangles, and flowers while men wear white pyjamas and panjabi or kurta. The programs of the day began in the capital with the musical soiree of Chhayanaut, a leading cultural organization of the country at Ramna Batamul at dawn. Traditional Mongol Shobhajatra was brought out from Dhaka University (DU) Fine Arts Faculty premises in the morning. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels will broadcast the programs. Mongol Shobhajatra will also be brought out at divisional, district and upazila levels to reach the traditional program to the grassroots as it has earned international recognition. Mongol 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 Pohela Boishakh on Saturday. ----------------- Security measures ----------------- Special security measures have been taken at important locations, including Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka University, Hatirjheel, and Rabindra Sarobar, among other places. Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Director General M Khurshid Hossain, in a briefing on Saturday, reassured the public of comprehensive security arrangements for Pohela Boishakh celebrations. To bolster security, RAB deployed additional forces across various event venues nationwide. RAB is committed to ensuring the safety and security of all attendees. Anyone who encounters or suspects deceptive activities should report immediately to RAB personnel for swift action, Hossain advised. Earlier, the Ministry of Home Affairs said all programs must conclude by 6pm. On March 27, officials also said they would take action against attempts to spread misinformation about the celebrations and the use of fireworks, lanterns, vuvuzelas, and drugs. Mobile courts and law enforcement units will be deployed to prevent any incidents of harassment, vandalism, pickpocketing, or other undesirable activities during the celebrations.
Published on: 2024-04-14 07:13:48.276397 +0200 CEST