Preparations for various events, including Mangal Shobhajatra and Boishakhi Mela, to observe Pohela Boishakh or Bengali New Year under strict security arrangements are going on full swing in Barisal.
The biggest gathering of the Bengali New Year is expected at the Mangal Shobhajatra procession, which is going to happen for the 33rd time in Barisal. The law enforcers have made all preparations to ensure security.
This procession will start from the Udichi stage at Brajo Mahon High School (BM School) at 8:30am on Sunday with the honour of freedom fighters, the Rakhi festival, and the national anthem. Udichi members will perform music and dance on the stage.
The procession will march along various important roads of the city and end at Ashwini Kumar Hall premises. Later, a painting, quiz, and folk culture exhibition will be held on the premises of Barisal City College by Charukala Barisal.
Artists and students are making different types of motifs focusing on Bengali life and culture, including crowns, masks, fans, sails, horses, boats, and other folk materials, in preparation for the Mangal Shobhajatra procession.
This year, since the Mangal Shobajatra will be held after Eid, it is expected that there will be a large gathering of people, said Durjoy Singh, convenor of the Mangal Shobhajatra 1431.
This is the 33rd edition of the Mangal Shobhajatra.
This time, the slogan for the whole country has been taken from poet Jibanananda's poem “Amra to Timir Binashi," said Dipankar Chakraborty, president of Barisal Charukola.
The general secretary of Udichi Barisal, Snehanshu Kumar Biswas, said a three-day folk fair will be held on the premises of BM School from 7am to 7pm. A large number of people are expected to gather at the cultural events.
On the occasion of Bengali New Year, Shobadaboli Group Theatre has organized a three-day Boisakhi cultural program at Shahid Minar.
Barisal Metropolitan Police Commissioner Jihadul Kabir said they have taken extensive security measures for the Mangal Shobhajatra and Boishakhi Mela.
