The nation is set to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the Bangla New Year’s Day, on Monday amid fairs, open air concerts, colourful rallies and distribution of sweets.
The day is a public holiday.
Celebration of Pahela Baishakh has become an integral part of Bengalis since it began over six centuries ago.
Mughal Emperor Akbar introduced the Bangla calendar in the 1556 of the Gregorian calendar, in a bid to streamline the timing of land tax collection in the then ‘Subah Bangla’ region, most of which falls under Bangladesh.
True to the centuries old tradition, people of all walks of life will gather in funfairs to welcome the Bangabda (Bangla year) 1421 on Monday, with new hopes and aspirations.
The city’s shopping malls are already buzzing with customers buying colourful traditional wears, including Saree and Panjabi.
Like each year, an ensemble from Chayanat will start their celebration by singing the famous Tagore song ‘Esho hey Baishakh, esho esho’ at the early hours on Monday.
Students of the Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University will also bring out a jovial procession with festoons and replicas of animals and other traditional objects.
Many organisations have also chalked out elaborate programmes throughout the day.
The government has taken stringent security measures across the country ahead of the occasion.
In the capital, Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Rapid Action Battalion will set up separate control rooms at Ramna Park.
Besides, Rab’s helicopter will also remain standby for emergency rescue operation.
Special security measures have also be taken at key shopping malls, markets, business establishments in the city.
Special control rooms will be set up at Police headquarters, all metropolitan police, Ranges, and district police super’s offices to coordinate the security arrangements.
Rab will set up 32 check-posts and four rooftop observation posts at Ramna Batamul in the capital on the day to ensure foolproof security.
Rab sources said around 8000 Rab members will be deployed across the country to ensure peaceful celebration of Pahela Baishakh.
Police will mount tight security across the country so people can celebrate Bengali New Year’s Day, Pahela Baishakh, peacefully.
Source: UNBConnect
