Rajshahi: Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year-1432, was celebrated in the city and its adjacent areas with a festive mood and enthusiasm coupled with vowing to build a discrimination-free, happy, and prosperous Bangladesh today. Children, youths, men, women, and activists of the socio-cultural, voluntary, and professional organizations wearing traditional dresses came out on the streets after sunrise to welcome the Bengali New Year.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, hundreds of men, women, and children, in traditional colorful clothes, thronged Rajshahi College playground, Fudkipara open stage, Shishu Academy, Riverview Collect-orate School playground, and other venues, especially the bank of the river Padma, for celebrations of the occasion. Pahela Baishakh celebrations involved Baishakhi processions with colorful festoons and songs, cultural functions, drama staging, doll dances, kite flying competitions, and Baishakhi melas (fairs). People wore traditional attire, attended amusement gatherings, and celebrated with family and friends.
The programs of the day heralded the city by inaugurating a colorful “Barsabaran Ananda Shobhajatra” on C and B Crossing. The Rajshahi district administration arranged the rally. After parading some of the city streets, the rally ended at the Shishu Academy compound, where a discussion and cultural function program were formally opened. Subsequently, the National Anthem and the song “Esho He Boishakh Esho Esho” were performed, followed by a discussion and cultural program organized by the district administration and various cultural groups.
Commissioner of Rajshahi division Khndaker Azim Ahmed, Deputy Inspector General of Police of Rajshahi Range Muhammad Shahjahan, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Muhammad Abu Sufiyan, and Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Afiya Akhter addressed the discussion. A daylong Baishakhi Fair also took place at the premises. Additionally, cultural programs, colorful rallies, and roadside Baishakhi fairs were organized across different parts of the district.
Various educational institutions, including Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi College, and Rajshahi Medical College, celebrated the festival inclusively through various programs. The Faculty of Fine Arts of Rajshahi University, in association with the university administration, brought out a colorful ‘Barshabaran Ananda Shovajatra’ rally from the front of the faculty building. Besides, Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) also arranged a daylong celebration program.
Baishakhi Melas, cultural functions, staging of dramas, doll-dances, Nagor Dola, kite flying competitions, and discussion meetings were also arranged throughout the day. To mark the celebration, special meals were served to inmates of hospitals, jails, safe homes, and SOS Shishu Pally. Amusement places like zoos and parks remained open for visitors throughout the day. Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies adopted all-out tightened security measures to make the daylong celebration a total success.