The country is celebrating Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year-1430, today upholding the rich cultural values and rituals of the Bangalees.
The government has drawn up an elaborate programme. The Mongol Shovajatra is being brought out at divisional, district and upazila levels to reach the traditional programme to the grassroots as it has earned the international recognition.
However, business communities, especially in the rural areas, are ready to open their traditional 'Halkhata', new account books. On the day traders also offer sweets to customers.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are expected to issue separate messages greeting the countrymen on the eve of the Pahela Baishakh.
All secondary schools and colleges of the country are asked to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla calendar.
"The educational institutions across the country must organise student rallies in the morning as part of celebration of Pahela Baishahk," said the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) on Wednesday (April 12).
DSHE director Prof Shahedul Kabir said that DSHE sent an order to all schools and colleges on Tuesday regarding Pahela Baishakh celebration following a directive of the Ministry of Education.
DSHE directed that the students must sing the national anthem, as well as "Esho He Baishakh," a popular song by Rabindranath Tagore, to welcome the Bangla New Year on that day as part of the celebrations.
About 'Mangal Shobhajatra' the DSHE also asked the authorities concerned to "publicise" the' Mangal Shobhajatra,' which was declared an "intangible cultural heritage" by Unesco in 2016.
