Rangpur city has worn a festive look ahead of
welcoming the 'Pahela Baishakh,' the first day of Bangla New Year-1430,
tomorrow.
Markets, shops and shopping malls have become crowded making the salespersons
busy in selling 'Baishakhi' clothes and other items today before celebrations
of the traditional festivity.
The district administration, Rangpur City Corporation, Shilpokola Academy,
government departments, 'Sommilito Sangskritik Jyote', sociocultural,
literary and other organisations, educational institutions have chalked out
programs and decorated the city.
The celebrations will begin with bringing out of a colorful 'Baishakhi'
procession by the district administration carrying festoons, placards,
banners and singing 'Baishakhi' and folk songs from Town Hall premises to
welcome the Bengali New Year 1430.
Divisional Commissioner Md Habibur Rahman with the divisional and district
level high officials and dignitaries will inaugurate the procession in the
morning.
The procession will reach Zila School ground after parading the main street
in the city.
The Rangpur District unit of 'Sommilito Sangskritik Jyote' will bring out a
huge 'Mongal Shobhayatra' at 9 am from the Public Library
and it will end at the Press Club premises.
While welcoming the 'Pahela Baishakh' with colorful programs, the educational
institutions will highlight the recognition of 'Mongal Shobhayatra' by UNESCO
as the important global Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Traditional "Baishakhi" programs will be performed by artists of Shishu
Academy and Shilpokola Academy on Banyan Tree premises and 'Sommilito
Sangskritik Jyote' on Central Shaheed Minar premises in the city.
Improved traditional Bangalee diets will be served by the authorities
concerned to the inmates of all hospitals, Rangpur Central Jail and 'Shishu
Paribars' (orphanages) in the district.
Rangpur Metropolitan Police, District Police, RAB-13 and other law
enforcement agencies will ensure leak-proof security during celebrations of
the 'Baishakhi' programs.
Meanwhile, traders said young girls, adolescents, students, housewives and
men are thronging roadside shops, markets and shopping malls in the city at
this last moment to purchase 'Baisahkhi' goods beside Eid items.
They are mostly purchasing 'Baishakhi' clothes like red-bordered white and
yellow 'saree', colored 'punjabi and shirts, bangles, 'punthi necklace',
bands, shoes, cosmetics and other items to beautify them to welcome 'Pahela
Baishakh' memorably.
Talking to BSS at 'Churi Patti' of Nababganj Bazaar, schoolgirls Farida,
Moushumi, Nuhara and Shimu, college students Aklima and Monjushree said they
were purchasing red-coloured glass bangles, 'punthi necklace', hair bands and
cosmetics.
University students Pinky Rahman, Asrukona Roy, Kuntola and Sharmin in the
market said they purchased red-bordered white and yellow saree, red-colored
glass bangles, 'punthi necklace', flower bands and other colorful clothes to
wear tomorrow.
"Wearing of colorful 'Baishakhi saree', 'punthi necklace' and flower bands at
hair bun adds extra pleasure in enjoying 'Baishakhi' celebrations," said
university student Morium Nesa.
Traders Mohsin Ali, Arman Hossain and Abu Bakar said they were happy to sell
huge glass bangles, 'punthi necklace' and many other Baishakhi items to
thronging women, girls, adolescents and men.
Salesmen Harun and Mohan said they were selling each dozen of red-colored
'Reshmi bangles' at Taka 140 to 180, 'Dhamaka set metal bangles' at Taka 180
to 250, 'Mou bangles' at Taka 280 to 350 and red-colored metal bangles at
Taka 320 to 400.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha