Pahela Baishakh today

The nation is set to celebrate the Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year Year-1432, today in an inclusive manner involving people from all ethnic groups.

A huge number of people are expected to join the "Nabo Barsho" festivities across the country, particularly in the capital city, as per local news agencies.

Pahela Baishakh is one of the most colourful festivals through which the country's people bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new year.

On the occasion of the Chaitra Sangkranti and Pahela Baishakh, the government has taken two-day elaborate programmes for the first time this year to celebrate the "Nobo Barsho" in an inclusive manner involving the people from different ethnic groups.

"For the first time, the government has taken an initiative to organise an inclusive festival at the national level to celebrate the Bangla New Year 1432 and the new years of other ethnic groups, including Chakma, Marma, Tripura and Garo," according to a handout issued by the cultural affairs ministry.

Concerned ministries, divisions, educational institutions, district and upazila administrations, metropolitan cities and municipalities, as well as different cultural organisations, are set to implement the programmes.

On the occasion, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus yesterday issued a message greeting the countrymen.

According to the programmes taken by the government, special features are to be published in newspapers highlighting the significance of the Pahela Baishakh this year instead of publishing special supplements.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and other print and electronic media will make illustrated reports putting emphasis on the occasion. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will take the necessary measures in this regard.

The celebration of Bangla New Year 1432 will mandatorily begin with the performance of the national anthem and the song 'Esho He Boishakh, Esho Esho' in the morning of Pahela Baishakh.

The Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University organised a grand procession titled "Barshobaran Ananda Shubhajatra" at 9am and a cultural programme on Pahela Baishakh.

This year, the procession will be held in an inclusive and universal manner, ensuring the participation of not only the Bangla community but also the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Garo, Manipuri, and other ethnic groups as well as female footballers.

Each community will showcase their cultural identity through traditional music and instruments.