The government has undertaken elaborate programmes to celebrate Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year, in an inclusive manner this year by involving people from all ethnic groups.
The programs were finalized in an inter-ministerial meeting held on March 23 at the conference room of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to an official handout issued on Tuesday.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki chaired the meeting.
"For the first time, the government has taken the initiative to organize an inclusive national festival to celebrate the Bengali New Year 1432, along with the new years of other ethnic groups, including the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, and Garo communities," said the handout.
The programs will be implemented by the relevant ministries, divisions, educational institutions, district and upazila administrations, metropolitan cities, municipalities, and various cultural organizations.
According to the program schedule, instead of special supplements, newspapers will publish special features highlighting the significance of Pohela Boishakh this year.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and other print and electronic media will produce special reports focusing on the celebration. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will take necessary steps to ensure this.
The celebration of Bengali New Year 1432 will begin with the national anthem and the iconic song "Esho He Boishakh, Esho Esho" on the morning of Pohela Boishakh.
As in previous years, the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University will organize a grand procession and cultural program.
This year’s procession will be held in an inclusive and universal manner, ensuring the participation of not only the Bangalee community but also the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo, Manipuri, and other ethnic groups, along with female footballers.
Each community will showcase its unique cultural identity through traditional music and instruments.
The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will coordinate the participation of cultural groups from the three hill districts and other ethnic communities in the procession.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will arrange for the live telecast of the procession across all government and private television channels, radio stations, and community radios.
Various cultural organizations, including the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies of Dhaka University, Shurer Dhara, Rishij Shilpigoshthi, Bulbul Lalitakala Academy, Bangladesh Nritya Shilpi Sangstha, Bangladesh Group Theatre Federation, Ganasangeet Samannay Parishad, Utsab Udjapan Parishad, Band F Minor, Saimum Shilpigoshthi, and Garo cultural groups, will organize special programs to mark the occasion.
Chhayanaut, one of the country’s leading cultural organizations, will hold a cultural event at Ramna Batamul at dawn to welcome Pohela Boishakh.
Colorful processions and cultural events will be organized at every union, district, and upazila level, with active participation from all ethnic communities. Similar processions will be brought out in every union nationwide.
District and upazila administrations will also organize essay competitions, cultural events, and traditional fairs on the first day of the Bengali calendar.
All educational institutions will celebrate the Bengali New Year under their own arrangements in a festive and grand manner.
Bangla Academy and the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) will jointly organize a weeklong Boishakhi fair on the Bangla Academy premises at a suitable time, along with discussions and other events.
The Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation will host a traditional fair at its premises in the city.
Traditional Bangalee food will be served to inmates in all prisons, patients in hospitals, and children in orphanages.
Cultural programs featuring children’s participation will be held at children’s homes, and an exhibition of products made by prisoners will also be arranged.
Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions abroad will organize special events to mark the Bengali New Year.
All museums and archaeological sites will remain open to the public on this day. Children, adolescents, students, and children with disabilities or special needs will be granted free entry.
A special exhibition showcasing the history and heritage of the Bengali New Year will be held.
Hotels and clubs will arrange special programs and serve traditional Bangalee foods in celebration of the New Year.
Offices under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs will organize various events such as discussions, exhibitions, quizzes, essay competitions, and painting competitions to mark the occasion.
Cultural institutions of ethnic minority groups will also arrange celebrations under their own management. The cultural institutes in Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari will simultaneously observe the Baisabi festival.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will host a vibrant drone show and cultural program at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad, under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
A Chaitra Sankranti concert will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan on the eve of the New Year, with performances by popular bands such as Miles, Warfaze, Dalchhut, AvoidRafa, Vikings, and Stone Free.
Additionally, roaming music shows, an art exhibition, and a traditional stick-fighting event (Lathi Khela) will be organized on Pohela Boishakh.
On Saturday, a special procession starting from the hill complex for the three hill districts in the capital will march to Ramna Park, where a flower-floating ceremony will be held.
Law enforcement agencies will ensure overall security at the national, district, and upazila levels during the New Year celebrations.
They will also ensure that people from all walks of life have unrestricted access to event venues. The Fire Service and Civil Defence will provide necessary fire safety assistance.
Local traditions and folk culture will be showcased in district and upazila-level fairs. Local administrations will ensure that no gambling or obscene activities take place at the fairs.
Medical service centers will be set up in key areas around Suhrawardy Udyan and Ramna Park.
Dhaka Wasa will arrange the supply of fresh water at convenient locations in those areas, and sufficient mobile toilets will be installed.
Efforts will be made to raise awareness about the cultural significance of Bengali New Year through social media platforms and religious institutions.
