Rajshahi: Rajshahi University (RU) has celebrated the Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year-1432, in its campus inclusively today. RU Vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Saleh Hassan Naquib inaugurated the daylong celebration as chief guest at the Fine Arts Faculty premises this morning.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event was graced by the presence of Pro-VCs Prof Mayeen Uddin and Prof Farid Uddin Khan, treasurer Prof Matiar Rahman, dean of Fine Arts Faculty Prof Muhammad Ali, registrar Prof Iftekharul Alam Masud, and proctor Prof Mahbubur Rahman. Following the inauguration, a large Barsabaran Ananda Shobhajatra was organized, starting from the fine arts faculty building.
The procession, comprising teachers, students, officers, and employees dressed in traditional colourful attire, traversed the campus roads before concluding at the initial venue. In his address, RU VC Prof Saleh Naquib emphasized the significance of Pahela Baishakh as integral to Bengali culture, tradition, and identity. He urged for the preservation of Bengali heritage to foster a prosperous and inclusive Bangladesh, devoid of discrimination.
In addition to the procession, a daylong cultural programme and Baishakhi Fair were held to commemorate the occasion. Various socio-cultural organizations within the campus also partook in the festivities through their respective events. Similarly, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) joined in the celebrations with a daylong programme.