bangladesh4u

Amid enthusiasm and fanfare the people will welcome the Bangla New Year 1413 both at home and abroad today(Friday) celebrating Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the year.In the day, people from different walks of life will come out at daybreak with a festive mood to welcome the New Year.

Different political, socio-cultural organizations have chalked out elaborate programmes to welcome the Bangla New Year.

Like every year, the main function will be held at the 'Ramna Batamul' with the first ray of the new Bangla year. Artistes of Chhayanaut will perform there

Like other year, the main function will be held at Ramna Batamul with the day dawning to the tune of classic Baishakhi song: Esho hey Baishakh, esho, esho…….. The artists of Chhayanaut will welcome Bangla year 1413.

In keeping with the tradition, traders and shopkeepers open halkhata(fresh accounts book) and offer sweets to the customers and visitors.

The government has taken stringent security measures in and around the city to avoid any untoward incident.

As part of the measures three -tier fool-proof security measures have been taken at Ramna Batomul and its surrounding areas to ensure safety and security of the people.

Around 8,000 members of different law enforcing agencies including the RAB will be kept to ensure the security.

At the Ramna Batamul, RAB will provide medical services, fresh water and telephonic services besides setting up a lost and found booth, said its media director commander Col Masuq Ahmed.

A good number of CC cameras have been set up at different strategic points of the Ramna Batamul while the RAB has already taken over the control of the venue.

Sources said at least 40 spots in the city would come under the direct vigilance of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages felicitating the people and wishing a very happy and prosperous Bangla New Year to the people of the country.

The main opposition Awami League will bring out a colourful rally from Bahadur Shah Park at 7am. The march will terminate at Suhrawardy

Udyan.

A colourful procession will be brought out at 8:30 am from Central Shaheed Minar to Rabindra Sarobar at Dhanmondi.

Besides, different organisations including Alliance Française de Dacca, Proshika, Oitijhya, Nagar Samajik O Sangskritik Kendra will organise separate programmes to mark the day.

Alliance Française de Dacca has organised a discussion on the occasion at its auditorium at 5 pm on the day.

The Daily Amader Shomoy has organised a poetry recitation programme on April 15 at 4 pm with the presence of eminent poets of the country at its auditorium.

Oitijhya, a publishing house, has organised daylong 'New Year Book Festival 1413' on the occasion of Bangla New Year. Oitijhya will provide the buyers 35 per cent discount on 500 titles of books at its Bangla Bazar sales centre.

Nagar Samajik O Sangskritik Kendra has organised an open painting competition for kids under 12 and Mehedi (henna) festival for girls over 12.

Besides, Proshika has also organised a cultural programme and Baishakhi fair at Dhanmondi to celebrate the Bangla New Year.

Other organisations including Bangladesh Samaj Unnayan, Rajshahi University Former Students' Association and Pahela Bishakh 1413 Celebration Committee have taken up programmes to celebrate the day.

Anti-smoking and narcotics organisation SASK-86, voluntary blood donation organisation Bandhan and Alliance Against AIDS of Bangladesh yesterday organised a discussion and anti-smoking poetry recitation programme at Elephant Road to bid adieu to Bangla Year 1412 and welcome the Bangla New Year.

According to available statistics, about 500 traditional fairs are being organised across the country each year. Most fairs, including the Baishakhi Mela, also known as Chaitra

Sangkrantir Mela, are organised in the dry season.

Besides, city fairs are held to mark Pahela Baishakh. At the fairs, industrial, traditional and cottage goods are sold, said a folk cultural expert.