The government has taken elaborate programmes to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the Bangla New Year (1433), on April 14 across the country.
On the occasion, national dailies will publish special supplements, while Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels will broadcast special programmes.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will issue separate messages marking the day.
Cultural organisations including Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha and Chhayanaut will hold programmes at Ramna Batamul on the morning of April 14. The অনুষ্ঠান will begin with the national anthem and the iconic song “Eso He Baishakh… Eso Eso”.
As in previous years, students and teachers of the Faculty of Fine Arts of University of Dhaka will bring out the traditional “Baishakhi Procession”. This year’s theme is “Noboborsher Oykotan, Gonotantrer Punuruthan (New Year’s harmony, democracy’s reemergence)”.
Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation will jointly organise a seven-day Baishakhi fair and discussion sessions from April 14 to April 20.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Folk and Crafts Foundation will host a 14-day traditional Baishakh fair starting April 20.
Special arrangements have been made to serve traditional food in prisons, hospitals and shishu paribars, alongside cultural programmes for children. All museums and archaeological sites will remain open, with free entry for children, students, persons with disabilities, and special needs groups.
Baishakhi Shobhajatra and cultural events will also be organised at district, upazila, and union levels. Educational institutions across the country will celebrate the New Year in a festive manner.
Various departments under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and cultural institutions of small ethnic communities will also arrange their own programmes.
Additionally, hotels and clubs in the city will host special events and serve traditional foods to mark the occasion.
Law enforcement agencies will ensure overall security for all programmes at national and local levels.
