The country is set to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year-1431, tomorrow.
A huge number of people are expected to join the "Nabo Barsho" festivitiesacross the country, particularly in the capital city.
Pahela Baishakh is one of the most colourful festivals through which theBangalees bid farewell to the old year and welcome the New Year.
On this occasion, people from all walks of life wear traditional Bengalidresses. Young women wear white sarees with red borders and adorn themselveswith bangles, flowers and "tips" while men wear white pyjamas and panjabi orkurta.
The programmes of the day will begin in the capital with the musical soireeof Chhayanat, a leading cultural organisation of the country at Ramna Batamulat dawn. Traditional Mangal Shobhajatra will be brought out from Dhaka University (DU) Fine Arts Faculty premises in the morning.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels willlive broadcast the programmes.
Mangal Shobhajatra will also be brought out at divisional, district andupazila levels to reach the traditional programme to the grassroots as it hasearned the international recognition. Mangal Shobhajatra was inscribed onUNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in2016.
Business communities, especially in the rural areas, are ready to open theirtraditional 'Halkhata', new account books. On the day, traders also offersweets to customers.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will issueseparate messages greeting the countrymen on the eve of the Pahela Baishakhin the afternoon today.
Different government and non-government organisations, socio-culturalplatforms, including Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh ShishuAcademy, Bangla Academy, Department of Public Libraries, the National Museum,Kabi Nazrul Institute, Copyright Office, National Book Centre, BangladeshSmall and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), the Department of Archivesand Library and Dhaka University will hold various programmes along withseminars, exhibitions and quiz, essay and art competitions marking thefestival.
Besides, local administration will organize quiz competitions, culturalprogrammes and folk fairs.
The city people usually start the day with the traditional breakfast of 'panta bhat' (soaked rice), green chili, onion and fried fish at Ramna Park,Suhrawardy Uddyan, Dhaka University Campus, Rabindra Sarobor at Dhanmondi andother amusement places. On the occasion, all museum and archaeological sites will remain open for allwhile children, students, people with disabilities and autism will be allowedto visit the museum free of cost.
On the occasion, improved traditional food will be distributed to inmates, patients in hospitals and orphanages.
Bangladesh missions abroad will also organise different programmes to welcomethe Bengali New Year.
The law enforcement agencies will take extensive security measures across thecountry so that people could celebrate the day.
The day is a public holiday.
Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other private TV and radiochannels will air special programmes highlighting the significance of Pahela Baishakh.
