Dhaka: The government has announced an extensive set of programs to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year, with a focus on inclusivity by involving people from all ethnic groups.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the programs were finalized during an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. The meeting took place on March 23 at the Ministry of Cultural Affairs conference room, located in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
This year marks a significant step as it is the first time the government is organizing a national-level inclusive festival to celebrate Bangla New Year 1432, alongside the new year celebrations of various ethnic groups such as the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, and Garo communities.
The celebration will involve multiple ministries, divisions, educational institutions, district and upazila administrations, metropolitan cities, municipalities, and cultural organizations. Special features highlighting the significance of Pahela Baishakh will be published in newspapers, replacing the traditional special supplements. Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar, and other media outlets will produce illustrated reports to emphasize the occasion, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting coordinating these efforts.
The festivities will commence with the national anthem and the song ‘Esho He Boishakh, Esho Esho’ on the morning of Pahela Baishakh. As in previous years, Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts will organize a grand procession and cultural program. This year’s procession will ensure participation from the Bangla community and ethnic groups, including female footballers, showcasing their cultural identities through traditional music and instruments.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy will coordinate the involvement of cultural groups from the hill districts and other ethnic communities. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will ensure the broadcast of the procession across all TV channels, radio stations, and community radios.
Various cultural organizations will host events, with Chhayanaut organizing a cultural event at Ramna Batamul at dawn. Processions and cultural programs will be held in every union, district, and upazila, with local administrations organizing essay competitions, cultural programs, and traditional fairs.
Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation will host a weeklong Bashakhi fair, while the Bangladesh Folk Art and Crafts Foundation will organize a traditional fair. Traditional Bangla foods will be distributed in prisons, hospitals, and children’s homes, with cultural programs for children in these homes. Bangladesh missions abroad will also celebrate with special events.
Museums and archaeological sites will offer free entry to children and students, and a special exhibition on the New Year’s history will be held. Hotels and clubs will host events and serve traditional foods. Ethnic minority cultural institutes will organize their own events, and a colorful drone show and cultural program will be held at Jatiya Sangsad’s South Plaza.
A Chaitra Sankranti concert will feature performances by popular musical bands, and other activities will include roaming music, an art exhibition, and traditional games. On April 12, 2025, a procession from the hill complex will culminate in a flower-floating ceremony at Ramna Park.
Law enforcement agencies will provide security at all celebration levels, ensuring accessibility for everyone. Fire safety measures will be supported by Fire Service and Civil Defence, while local administrations will prevent gambling and inappropriate activities at fairs.
Public health and sanitation will be prioritized with medical service centers, fresh water arrangements by Dhaka WASA, and mobile toilets around Suhrawardy Udyan and Ramna Park. Social media and religious institutions will help promote the cultural heritage of the Bangla New Year.
The ‘Nabo Barsho’ festivities are expected to attract large crowds countrywide. Pahela Baishakh remains a vibrant festival, symbolizing the farewell to the old year and the welcome of the New Year, celebrated in traditional attire by people from all walks of life.