Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Sunday called upon the people of the country to join hands in building a new Bangladesh which is “happy, peaceful and prosperous” without any discrimination.
“Let building a Bangladesh without discrimination be our commitment in this Bangla New Year,” the chief adviser said in a message marking Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year that falls on April 14.
Yunus said the July uprising has given them the opportunity to build a Bangladesh without discrimination, and this uprising inspires them to build a new Bangladesh that is happy, prosperous, peaceful and joyful.
“Let us forget the past year’s sorrow and pain and move forward with a new conviction and new enthusiasm,” he said.
The chief adviser said Pohela Boishakh holds a special place in the traditional Bangla culture and is a day of harmony and great reunion.
For a long time, on this festival of the Bangla New Year, the entire Bengali nation, regardless of religion or caste, awakens with a new spirit and a new commitment, he said.
Forgetting the sorrows, filth, and failures of the past year, Yunus said, people create a combination of harmony, friendship, joy, and love on this day.
The celebration of the Bangla New Year originally began during the time of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
The beginning of counting the Bangla year as the "crop year" by Emperor Akbar for the convenience of agricultural work has, over time, become a commemorative festival of non-communal consciousness for all Bengalis.
Yunus extended his Bangla New Year greetings to the people of the country, wishing success for all the initiatives organized on the occasion of the Bangla New Year.
Earlier, speaking at a function, the chief adviser said they are members of one family upholding harmony as the country is set to celebrate Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, on Monday.
"Tomorrow (Monday), the first day of Boishakh, is one of the symbols of this harmony. Everyone will celebrate in their own way, in line with their own customs, and participate in this festival," he said while laying the foundation stone of "Sampriti Bhaban" at the Dhaka International Buddhist Monastery.
Yunus said that despite differences in beliefs, religions, and customs, the Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, and the various communities living across the mountains and plains of this country are all part of one family, united by a rich diversity of language, culture, and tradition.
