Bangladesh is celebrating Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year and one of the biggest festivals of the nation, today (Tuesday).
Unlike other years, the Bangladeshis are celebrating this year on virtual media and using digital method staying at their respective homes amid coronavirus (C0VID-19) outbreak.
Pahela Baishakh is one of the most colourful festivals through which the Bangalis bid farewell to the old year and welcome the New Year, as per agency reports.
The government gave directives to all to celebrate the festival in digital method to avoid public gatherings.
As per the government directives, state-run Bangladesh Television (BTV) is set to broadcast Chhayanat’s previous year’s celebration welcoming the advent of Bangla New Year at Ramna Batamul at dawn, said sources.
Besides, recorded traditional songs and dance performances of leading artistes will also be aired.
Traditional Mongol Shovajatra will not be brought out this year from Fine Arts Faculty on the Dhaka University which becomes the main symbolic programme of the celebration as the authorities have cancelled it.
Business communities, especially in the rural areas, generally open their traditional ‘Halkhata’, new account books on that day while traders also offer sweets to customers.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the countrymen on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh.
They urged all to celebrate the Bangla New Year in digital method staying at homes to avoid public gatherings.
They wished peace, happiness and prosperity of the people and the country in the New Year.
