Pahela Baishakh Celebrations Underway

Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year 1432, is being celebrated nationwide with inclusive festivities, embracing people from all ethnic communities. Across the country—especially in the capital—large crowds are taking part in vibrant "Nobo Barsho" celebrations marked by traditional attire, cultural performances, and public gatherings.

Men in pyjamas and panjabis and women in white sarees with red borders, adorned with flowers and bangles, fill the streets, while ethnic groups don their respective cultural outfits. For the first time, the government has launched a two-day national programme to celebrate the New Year inclusively, recognizing not only the Bangla calendar but also the traditional new years of ethnic communities like the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, and Garo.

Ministries, local administrations, educational institutions, and cultural bodies are jointly coordinating a wide range of events. Cultural institutions like Chhayanaut, Dhaka University’s Faculty of Fine Arts, and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy are hosting processions, music, and art performances, while community events take place in every union, upazila, and district.

Media outlets including BTV and Bangladesh Betar are airing special programming, and festive meals are being served to prisoners, hospital patients, and orphans. Museums are open to all, with free access for children and persons with disabilities. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs is organizing fairs, exhibitions, and performances at national landmarks, while Bangladeshi embassies abroad are holding special New Year celebrations.

Law enforcement agencies have implemented extensive security measures to ensure smooth celebrations, and support services such as mobile toilets, medical booths, and water stations have been installed at major venues like Ramna Park and Suhrawardy Udyan.

Celebrations also include traditional stick-fighting (Lathi Khela), art exhibitions, roaming musical performances, and a drone show. Events emphasize the rich heritage of Bangla culture and history, including recognition of the Bengali calendar’s origin under Emperor Akbar, who aligned the agricultural cycles with tax collection by introducing the "Fasholi shan."

The day is being observed as a public holiday, with a strong message of unity, cultural pride, and inclusivity across the nation.