Siddique Islam (National News Service) Dhaka, Thursday, April 14: millions of Bangladeshi at home and across the world welcomed Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year 1412, amid fanfare and gaiety.
Unprecedented security was put in and around the traditional venue of the occasion, Ramna Green, much ahead of the New Year's celebrations to avert any incidents similar to the bomb explosions that left 10 people killed there on this day in 1408 (2001).
Dog squad, RAB personnel, close-circuit security camera, metal detector – all were activated as part of an unprecedented security measures by the government, which was highly appreciated by the people who joined hands to celebrate the day.
Even then, festive euphoria gripped the whole city as well as across the country when people of different age groups took to the street wearing colorful dresses to welcome the new- year.
Streams of people thronged the roads of the capital joining the cultural events and welcoming the new-year in a festive mood.
Like every year, the main function took place at the foot of the 'Ramna Batamul' with the first light of the new Bangla year. Artistes of Chhayanat performed magnificent cultural function welcoming Bangla year 1412.
Different socio-cultural organisations arranged elaborate programmes welcoming the new-year and turned the whole Dhaka city into a city of festival.
Opposition Awami League also brought out a new year's procession at 7.30am from Bahadur Shah Park and that ended up at Ramna Batamul.
The day was a public holiday.
President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and opposition Leader Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages greeting people on the eve of the Bengali New Year. (End/si)
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"Human beings have still not been able to form a human society, and have still not learned to move with the spirit of a pilgrim. Although many small groups, motivated by self-interest, work together in particular situations, not even a small fraction of their work is done with a broader social motive. By strict definition, shall we have to declare that each small family unit is a society in itself? If going ahead in mutual adjustment only out of narrow self-interest or momentary self-seeking is called society, then in such a society, no provision can be made for the disabled, the diseased or the helpless, because in most cases nobody can benefit from them in any way... in that case there always remains the possibility of some people getting isolated from the collective. All human beings must attach themselves to others by the common bond of love and march forward hand in hand; then only will I proclaim it a society." |