Economic strain dims New Year celebrations

Across Bangladesh and among Bengali communities worldwide, the advent of Pahela Baishakh is usually marked by colour, commerce and collective joy. This year around, however, the festival unfolds against a difficult economic backdrop, as soaring prices of essentials and an acute fuel crisis sap both spending power and public sentiment.

In the capital, Dhaka, and beyond, shops that would typically be teeming with last-minute shoppers now appear noticeably subdued. Traders say the usual pre-festival rush is largely absent this year.

"Our sales this year are nearly half of what we saw over the past five years," says a shop owner at Aziz Market, known for its Baishakh clothing collections. "We prepared for months expecting a bumper season. Instead, we are facing significant losses," he adds, visibly disheartened.

The crunch is not confined to urban centres. In district towns and rural areas, the situation appears even more severe. "We are struggling to manage daily expenses. Baishakh shopping is simply not possible," says a primary schoolteacher in Manikganj, reflecting a wider crisis of shrinking household liquidity.

Economists and traders point to a series of external shocks feeding into domestic inflation. Disruptions to international supply chains -- driven in part by instability in the Middle East and a broader energy crisis -- have pushed up import costs. Higher shipping costs, a stronger dollar, and delayed shipments have further complicated the situation.

Transport costs have surged by Tk10,000-20,000 per truck, adding to the pressure on wholesale markets. Traders warn that if fuel shortages persist, price volatility could worsen in the coming weeks.

Nowhere is the strain more visible than in the market for Hilsa fish -- the centrepiece of traditional Baishakh cuisine.

Prices have risen sharply. In Dhaka, a one-kilogram hilsa was selling for around Tk2,500 on Monday, up from Tk1,700 just a month ago. Smaller fish, weighing around 300 grams, is now priced above Tk1,000.

Meanwhile, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages greeting the people on the occasion of Bengali New Year.

In his message, the President said, "In the current global context, the country is facing different challenges, requiring greater restraint, patience and responsibility from all."

In his message, the Prime Minister said, "Pahela Baishakh is a unique symbol of our national identity, history, culture, and self-recognition. For centuries, this day has returned every year in our lives, bringing the call of new beginnings. The arrival of the New Year inspires us to leave behind decay and stagnation and move forward with renewed hope."

Pahela Baishakh is closely linked with agriculture, nature, and the agricultural economy of the region, he notes, adding that even in this golden age of information technology, farmers determine their agricultural schedules in harmony with nature.

Opposition leaders, including figures from Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, also extended greetings, underscoring the festival's broad national appeal.

For many Bangladeshis, this year's Pahela Baishakh is less about consumption and more about continuity. The colourful street art may still brighten the capital, Dhaka, and songs of renewal still echo at dawn-but beneath the surface lies a growing concern about livelihoods, affordability and the months ahead.

Even so, as one observer notes, "Baishakh will always come. The question is how much people can afford to celebrate it."

On the day, the sky will remain partly cloudy across the country, according to BMD.

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talhabinhabib@yahoo.com