Dhaka – Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), divisional and district administrations and different educational and socio-cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year-1424, in a befitting manner in the city Friday. The concerned authorities have taken tight security measures to ensure law and order for peaceful celebrations of the day with the spirit of War of Liberation and the rich cultural heritage of the Bengalees. The district and upazila administrations and other organizations have adopted separate programmes to celebrate the day. RCC has adopted a two-day programmre to say goodbye to 1423 and welcome the new Bengali year 1424 at Fudkipara open stage. The RCC authority is scheduled to open the programme at 7.00 am on April 14. The district administration has taken a daylong Barshabaran programme, which include a colourful procession, a cultural function at Shishu Academy open stage and serving panta bhat (soaked rice) at the Circuit House. Baishakhi processions will parade different roads with the participants carrying colourful festoons, placards and banners, masks and singing Boishakhi songs. Businessmen in haats-bazars (market places), groceries, sales centers and important places in both rural and urban areas are taking preparations to organize traditional Halkhata (opening new tally books) and to distribute sweets among their customers. Baishakhi Melas (fairs), cultural functions, staging dramas, puppet shows, Nagor Dola, kite flying competitions and discussions meeting on Pahela Baishakh will also be held in the city and upazila towns to welcome the Bengali New Year 1424. Rajshahi University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi College, Rajshahi Medical College and other educational institute have chalked out separate Baishakhi programmes. Meanwhile, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) has adopted an all-out security measures to make the festival and all the events safe and uninterrupted.
