KHULNA, Apr 12: District administration, different socio-cultural organisations, political parties and educational institutions including Khulna University (KU) have taken elaborate programmes in order to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year-1432, in a traditional manner.
This year, the Pahela Baishakh will be received under theme "Naboborsher Oikyatan, Fascibader Oboshan."
Khulna District administration will begin the day through a vibrant 'Borsoboron Anonda Shovajatra' at 8am on Monday, starting from the Khulna Railway Station premises and ending at Shaheed Hadis Park.
Following this joyous procession, there will be a discussion meeting, cultural function, and prize distribution.
Bangladesh Shishu Academy will organize drawing and essay competitions for children. The Khulna Divisional museum will be open to the public, and traditional foods will be served in jails and government-run orphanages in the city.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam urged all to refrain from incorporating any element in the 'Borsoboron Anondo Shovajatra' that may hurt religious sentiments.
Like previous years, the Fine Arts School of KU has also completed preparation to welcome the Bangla New Year with its own unique cultural identity and distinct traditions.
A visit on Friday found students of different disciplines of the School of Fine Arts in their final stage of preparation for the Pahela Baishakh celebration, with them working hard to depict the essence of Bengal's rich heritage through the 'Anondo Shovajatra.'
Giving prominence to 'lokojsongskriti' (folk culture), students are crafting paper-mache, figures of kings and queens, masks of tigers and owls, and traditional items, such as horses, elephants, kulos, and dalas.
Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, a member of the Alpona and Stage Committee of KU, said, "We are working tirelessly to organize what is undoubtedly the most non-communal and inclusive folk festival of Bengali culture."
Student from the Faculty of Fine Arts Dipali Mallik said, "Just like every year, we aim to include all the traditional elements. We're trying to present classic representations of rural Bengal, such as tigers, owls, farmers, and peasant women.
Through this effort, we are striving to preserve a heritage that was on the verge of disappearing."
Shapla Singh, Assistant Professor of the Drawing and Painting Discipline, was seen painting alongside students.
She said, "The celebration of Bangla New Year is deeply rooted in the soil and soul of our people. It transcends all barriers of religion and ethnicity. This secular festival, bearing the ancient cultural identity of Bengalis, has been a source of inspiration at various pivotal points in Bangladesh's political and cultural history."
This year, the Pahela Baishakh celebration at KU will begin with Borsho Abahon at 7.15am, followed by the inauguration of a fair at 9am, the 'Anondo Shovajatra' at 10am, and traditional performances including Lathikhela, a magic show, monkey shows in the afternoon, and a cultural program at 8pm.
On the eve of Pahela Baishakh on Sunday, Chaitra Sankranti will be celebrated with various events at the university's playground, including a kite festival, traditional Bengali games, an Alpona Utsob, puppet shows, and an evening cultural programme.
Meanwhile, ahead of The New Year-1432 and Chaitra Sankranti celebrations, a coordination meeting was held on Thursday in the KU's administrative building, with representatives of law enforcement agencies to ensure security and smooth operation of the events.
While presiding over the meeting, KU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim said, "We've planned multiple programmes on April 13 as Chaitra Sankranti and April 14 as well as Pahela Baishakh.
He further emphasized that every possible preparation has been taken to ensure the celebrations are safe and well-organized and that authorities will remain vigilant so that no third party can disrupt the peace.
Khulna Medical College (KMC) is also organizing events for the Bangla New Year1432. On April 14, Pahela Baishakh, a Pitha Utsob and cultural program will be held at the S M Sultan Auditorium of the KMC.
Miraj Al Imran, Convener of the Celebration Committee at KMC, said, "We are organizing a Pitha Utsob to celebrate the Bangla New Year. Students will set up their stalls and serve various traditional pithas. There's already a lot of enthusiasm among everyone."
Different political parties including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and National Citizen Party (NCP) will festively celebrate the day.
