Dhaka: Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year, was celebrated today at Jahangirnagar University (JU) with the slogan ‘Harmony in the New Year, End to Fascism and the Triumph of Humanity.’
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, JU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Kamrul Ahsan marked the occasion by exchanging greetings with teachers, students, officers, and staff at his residence in the morning. In a brief speech, he extended warm wishes for the Bengali New Year to all attendees. Traditional Bengali New Year songs, including ‘Esho He Boishakh Esho Esho,’ were played, and guests enjoyed a variety of traditional foods such as jilapi, sandesh, kadma, watermelon, mango juice, batasha, puffed rice, and khoi.
Following the greetings, a colorful rally led by JU VC Prof Kamrul Ahsan commenced at 9:45 am from the Business Studies faculty, concluding at the Amar Ekushey Sculpture premises. In his address at the rally, Prof Ahsan noted the special significance of this year’s celebration, highlighting the unity shown in the face of inequality and the challenges faced since the Liberation War of 1971. He emphasized the re-ignition of the vision for a better Bangladesh following the student-people mass uprising in 2024, urging collective commitment to building a new Bangladesh regardless of political affiliation.
The event was attended by JU Pro-VC (Academic) Prof Dr M Mahfuzur Rahman, Pro-VC (Administration) Prof Dr Sohel Ahmed, treasurer Prof Dr M Abdur Rab, acting dean of Social Sciences Faculty Prof Dr Md Shamsul Alam, acting dean of Biological Sciences Faculty Prof Mafruhi Sattar, along with acting registrar, proctor, hall provosts, members of the Women’s Club, university teachers, students, staff, and faculty from the university’s school and college.
In the evening, the Student-Teacher Centre (TSC) and the Students’ Counselling and Guidance Centre are set to host a cultural event at the university’s Selim Al Deen Muktamancha. Additionally, various departments organized activities such as book fairs, puppet shows, musical dramas, traditional plays, street performances, instrumental performances, and folk theatre throughout the day to celebrate the occasion.