Pahela Baishakh celebrated all over country

Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year 1430, was celebrated across the country with much enthusiasm and traditional gaiety on Friday.

But, due to the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, it was celebrated on a limited scale.

Pahela Baishakh is one of the most colourful festivals through which the Bangalees bid farewell to the old year and welcome the New Year.

On this occasion, people from all walks of life wear traditional Bengali dresses.

Young women wear white sarees with red borders and adorn themselves with bangles, flowers, and tips, while men wear white pyjamas and panjabi or kurta.

The government drew up an elaborate programme. The Mangal Shobhajatra was brought out at divisional, district and upazila levels to reach the traditional programme to the grassroots as it has earned the international recognition.

Business communities, especially in the rural areas, opened their traditional 'Halkhata', new account books. On the day traders also offered sweets to customers.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting the countrymen on the eve of the Pahela Baishakh.

All secondary schools and colleges of the country celebrated Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla calendar.