The nation has celebrated “Pohela Boishakh”, the first day of Bengali New Year 1422, amid much enthusiasm and traditional gaiety.
To welcome the Bengali New Year, different socio-cultural organisations and government institutions have chalked out elaborate programmes in the capital as elsewhere across the country.
The Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University (DU) brought out a colourful procession from campus with decorative replicas of animals as well as elements of Bengali culture.
The day was a public holiday.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police has taken tight security measures in order to ensure peaceful celebration of Pahela Baishakh.
The programmes of the day began at dawn with the musical soiree of Chayanat, a leading cultural organisation of the country at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the countrymen marking the day.
Electronic media including state-owned Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar aired special programmes highlighting the significance of the Bengali New Year.
Daily newspapers published supplements marking the day.
To mark the Bengali New Year, improved diet was served at all the jails, hospitals and orphanage centres.
All museums were open on the day so that students and disabled children could visit those without tickets.
