Pahela Baishakh celebrated without outdoor programmes
Bangladesh celebrated Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali new year 1427, on Tuesday amid restrictions on outdoor programmes throughout the country due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The people of Bangladesh welcomed the Bengali new year using virtual media and digital devices as their major means of deriving joy and happiness staying at homes.
Following the government directives not to hold any public gathering and to stay at home to protect people from coronavirus infection, there was no gathering of people in colourful attires at the Ramna Batamul in the morning, which had been a mainstay of Pahale Baishakh celebrations for welcoming the Bengali new year for the Dhaka dwellers since 1967.
State-run Bangladesh Television broadcast a special programme having contents of Chhayanat’s previous year’s celebration welcoming the advent of Bengali new year at Ramna Batamul at dawn.
Besides, recorded traditional songs and dance performances of leading artistes were played.
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Chhayanat president Sanjida Khatun’s recorded message was also aired.
A 58-minute programme of the Cultural Affairs Ministry was aired from 8.30am on Bangladesh Television while all private television channels relayed it.
The UNESCO-declared intangible cultural heritage, the Mangal Shobhajatra, bearing enlarged motifs and masks to emphasise Bengali heritage, by the fine art faculty of Dhaka University since 1989, was not brought out.
The faculty, however, published a poster marking the day for inspiring people to overcome the current situation.
Many were seen posting photographs of food items cooked at home and snapshots and selfie on social media platforms, including Facebook, twitter and instagram. They conveyed greetings to their loved and dear and near ones through texts on mobile phones and social media.
Ministers, politicians, cultural and social personalities and celebrities also greeted people on the occasion on social media. They also hoped to overcome the coronavirus situation
Improved food items were served among jail inmates, patients in hospitals and orphanages on the occasion.
Different national dailies published special colourful supplements highlighting the significance of Pahela Baishakh.
Cultural organisations held no programme in the capital as well as in the districts. There was no fair, nor even opening of the halkhata, new ledger, by closing last year’s accounts, which the traders initiate as part of formal celebrations.
Even the ethnic minorities such as Chakmas, Marmas and Tripuras cancelled all celebrations of their traditional festivals, including Biju, Sangrain and Baisabi respectively welcoming the new year in accordance with the government order.
Some cultural organisations such as Shadhona and Bat-tola celebrated the day using the social media platforms.
News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net
