Festive celebration of Pahela Baishakh after two years

Dhaka : Following a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year-1429, was celebrated countrywide in a grand and festive mood, upholding the rich cultural values and rituals of Bengalis.
Different cultural organisations and people from all spheres of life across the country welcomed the Bengali New Year by celebrating Pahela Baishakh.
The Bangla Nabobar-sho festival was held at its traditional venue Ramna Batamul in the capital after two years break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On the first day of the Bangla calendar, the Fine Arts Faculty of University of Dhaka brought out the traditional Mangal Shovajatra, a thematic and colourful parade -- declared as a cultural heritage by UNESCO -- and arranged cultural programme in the capital. After two years, the country witnessed the joyful parade once again. 
Chhayanaut started its cultural programme at the historic Ramna Batamul at 6:15 am on April 14 with performing "Ramkeli Ragh". Chhayanaut arranged the cultural function with frolic songs, highlighting the reality of new normal life.
Besides, the Cultural Affairs Ministry and different government and non-government organisations, socio-cultural platforms, including Bangla-desh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Bangla Academy, Department of Public Libraries, the National Museum, Kabi Nazrul Institute, Copyright Office, National Book Centre, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and the Department of Archives and Library, arranged various programmes including seminars, exhibitions and quiz, essay and art compositions on the occasion.

People from all walks of life get out to celebrate Pahela Baishakh in colourful attires _Photo: Monitor
On the occasion, people from all spheres of life wore traditional Bengali dresses. Young women wore white sarees with red borders and adorned themselves with bangles, flowers, and tips, while men put on white pajamas and panjabi or kurta.
Bangladesh missions abroad also organised different programmes welcoming the New Year.
Reports were received from Khulna, Chattogram, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur, Gazipur, Jashore, Feni, Lakshmipur, Cumilla and other districts that different organisations and people from all strata celebrated the Pahela Baishakh with grand festivity.