Pahela Baishakh celebrated in Netrakona with traditional festivities

Pahela Baishakh', the first day of the Bengali New Year-1431, was celebrated in the district today amidst traditional festivities and with a call to keep the country free from militancy and fundamentalism. On the day, a festive mood generated among the local people irrespective of castes, creeds and religions to welcome the first day of the Bengali New Year. People from all walks of life including children, men, women and activists of different socio-cultural organizations and students of different educational institutions wearing traditional colorful dresses came down on the streets here in the morning to welcome the Bengali new year. Netrakona district administration, different socio-cultural organizations, professional groups, business organizations and educational institutions took different programmes to welcome the 'Pahela Baishakh' with pomp and gaiety. The celebration of the Bengali New Year began with a colorful Mongal Shubhajatra which was brought out in the district town in the morning from dis trict collectorate office building premises under the auspices of the district administration. Deputy Commissioner Shahed Parvez led the Mongal Shubhajatra which ended at old collectorate office building premises after parading main roads of the town. Chairman of Netrakona Zilla Parishad Asit Kumar Sarker Sazal, police super Foyaz Ahmed and mayor of Netrakona municipality Nazrul Islam Khan, general secretary of Netrakona district Awami League (AL), district-level officers, political leaders, public representatives , civil society members, students and teachers and a large number local people from all walks of life joined the Mongal Shubhajatra. The district administration and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), Netrakona organized a day-long Baishakhi and handy-crafts and cottage industries fair on old collectorate office building premises. Netrakona Shishu academy organized an art and cultural competition for school children at the Shishu academy. Netrakona district administrati on and district Shilpakala academy jointly organized a colorful musical soiree based on folk and Baishakhi songs on old collectorate office building premises. Improved traditional Bangalee food-items were served to the inmates of the hospitals, jails and orphanage children family centers in the district by the concerned authorities. Netrakona district and police administration took fool- proof security measures for peaceful celebration of the first day of Bengali New Year. Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha