Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said Chaitra Sankranti teaches people to value both life and nature.
This year marks the first time Bangladesh is officially celebrating Chaitra Sankranti and Pahela Boishakh together, she said at a discussion held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday.
"Until now, we celebrated only Pahela Boishakh, but this new step reflects our real cultural heritage," she added.
The discussion, focused on women and Chaitra Sankranti, was part of a two-day celebration organized by the Nabpran Movement with support from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Farida said on Chaitra Sankranti, it is tradition to prepare dishes using many types of vegetables, without any non-vegetarian food.
This, she said, reflects rural Bengal's deep connection to nature and sustainable living.
However, she expressed concern over modern farming practices.
Due to pollution, pesticides, and herbicides, even the vegetables we get today often contain toxins. We need a toxin-free environment so that everyone can safely eat vegetables, said the adviser.
Writer Farhad Mazhar, Nabpran Movement activists and Nayakrishi Movement farmers attended the discussion, among others. �"BSS
