On the occasion of Pohela Boishakh, inmates across Bangladesh were treated to traditional meals of panta-ilish and polao-meat as part of festive celebrations organized in all 68 prisons on Monday.
The prison authorities organized cultural programs and arranged special meals for inmates in all 68 facilities on the first day of the Bengali calendar year 1432.
According to Md Jannat Ul Forhad, assistant inspector general (media) of the Department of Prisons, inmates were treated to special meals twice on Pohela Boishakh.
In the morning, they were served panta-ilish, the traditional new year delicacy.
He added: “For lunch, the menu included polao, chicken curry, lentils, betel leaf and nuts, sweets, and cold drinks. These meals were provided to a total of 67,709 inmates across the country’s prisons.
“To enhance the festive spirit, both staff and inmates jointly participated in alpana painting and new year rallies inside the prison premises.”
He continued: “In the afternoon, cultural programs were held, featuring performances by both inmates and guest artists. Singer Konal performed at the central jail, where female prison staff wore traditional sarees and male staff dressed in panjabis and pajamas.”
A directive issued by the Department of Prisons on April 10 instructed all prison divisions to celebrate the new year and ensure improved meals for inmates on the occasion.
