RANGPUR, April 13, 2022 (BSS) - The district administration and other
authorities have completed preparations to welcome 'Pahela Baishakh', the
first day of Bengali New Year 1429, with traditional festivities here
tomorrow.

Rangpur city has worn colorful looks to celebrate the traditional 'Pahela
Baishakh' festivities peacefully highlighting rich Bengali culture and
heritage amid tight security measures.

Celebration of 'Chaitra Sankranti', the last day of the outgoing year, began
today in hats, bazars, groceries and important places with traditional
'Halkhata' for renewal of business accounts clearing dues.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) AWM Raihan Shah said the
district administration, Rangpur City Corporation, Shilpakala Academy, Shishu
Academy, educational institutions and other organizations will welcome
'Pahela Baishakh' with traditional festivities and fanfare.

Different government departments, non-governmental, socio-cultural,
professional, business and other organizations have taken programs to
celebrate the auspicious occasion.

The celebrations will begin with traditional "Baishakhi" programs to be
performed by artists of Shishu Academy and Shilpokola Academy on Banyan Tree
premises at Zila School ground and Sommilito Sangskritik Jote on the Town
Hall premises.
At 10 am, the district administration will bring out the colorful 'Baishakhi'
rally carrying festoons, placards, banners and singing 'Baishakhi' and folk
songs from the Town Hall premises to the Zila School ground to welcome the
Bengali New Year-1429.
Traditional cow-driven and horse-driven carts and 'palki' will parade the
city streets alongside the main 'Baishakhi' rally.

People of all ages, wearing traditional dresses and carrying festoons,
placards, banners and singing `Esho Hey Baishakh, Esho Esho' will participate
in the 'Baishakhi' rally to welcome 'Pahela Baishakh.'

The traditional 'Baishakhi Mela', cultural functions, staging dramas, doll-
dances, 'Nagor Dola', 'Ha-Du-Du', traditional 'Lathi Khela', kite flying
competitions and discussions will be arranged to welcome the event.
 
The authorities concerned will serve improved traditional Bengali diets to
the inmates of all hospitals, Rangpur Central Jail, orphanages, shishu
paribars, vagabond centres and orphanages in the district.

Rangpur Metropolitan Police, District Police, RAB-13 and other law
enforcement agencies will ensure leak-proof security during celebrations of
the 'Baishakhi' programs.

Dozens of socio-cultural and literary and other organisations, educational
institutions have colorfully decorated the city.

Meanwhile, different markets, shops and shopping malls have become crowded
making the salespersons busy in selling 'Baishakhi' clothes and other items
before celebrations of the festivity tomorrow.

Talking to BSS at Nababganj Bazaar in the city, sellers and traders said
young girls, adolescents, students, housewives and men are thronging shops at
this last moment to purchase 'Baishakhi' goods.

The rushing people are mostly purchasing red-bordered white and yellow
'saree', colored 'punjabi and shirts, bangles, 'punthi necklace', bands,
cosmetics and other items to beautify them to welcome 'Pahela Baishakh'
memorably.

Students Armina, Sakuntola, Morium and Akhimoni there said they were
purchasing mostly red-colored glass bangles, 'punthi necklace', hair bands
and cosmetics.