DHAKA, April 14, 2026 (BSS) - Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year-1433, was celebrated in different districts across the country in an inclusive manner involving people from all walks of life today.   In Rangamati, a vibrant and festive Baisakhi procession, along with discussion meetings and cultural programmes, was held in the district to celebrate the Bengali New Year.   Deputy Commissioner Nazma Ashrafi inaugurated the procession organized by the district administration from the municipal premises this morning.   Among those present were District Police Superintendent Muhammad Abdur Rakib, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Mohammad Ruhul Amin, District BNP President Dipan Talukder Dipu, General Secretary Advocate Mamunur Rashid Mamun, and representatives from various government and non-government institutions.   The colorful procession that began at the municipal premises paraded through different roads of the town before concluding at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Participants, dressed in bright traditional attire, added festive spirit to the event.   The procession featured symbolic representations including elephants, horses, owls, and various birds. Young participants danced enthusiastically to the beats of traditional Bengali drums, welcoming the New Year with joy and excitement. Following the procession, a folk fair was inaugurated on the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The celebrations continued with a cultural programme and prize distribution ceremony held at the Abdul Ali stage, drawing participation from Local artists and cultural workers.   In Bagerhat, the Pahela Baishakh was celebrated in the district with enthusiasm and cultural vibrancy. The programme was jointly organized by the district administration and the District Shishu Academy.   The day’s festivities began at 8:00 am with a colorful Baisakhi procession starting from Bagerhat Stadium. Led by Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten, the procession paraded through key roads of the town including Railway Road and Khanjahan Ali Road before concluding at the Zilla Parishad auditorium premises.   Following the procession, Bagerhat Sadar constituency MP Sheikh Manjurul Haque Rahad and  Superintendent of Police Md. Hasan Chowdhury inaugurated the Baisakhi fair.   Later, a discussion meeting was held at the Bagerhat Shishu Academy, chaired by its officer Asaduzzaman. Deputy Commissioner Golam Md. Baten distributed prizes among winners of essay and painting competitions and enjoyed a cultural programme.   In Bandarban, the Bangla New Year was celebrated with great enthusiasm and festivity in the hill district today, marked by colorful processions and cultural programmes.   The day began with a vibrant Baisakhi procession that started from the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in the morning. The programme was inaugurated by Member of Parliament Rajput Saching Pru Jeri.   The procession paraded through the main roads of the town and concluded at the auditorium of the Cultural Institute of Minorities. People from different communities, including members of 11 ethnic minority groups, participated in the procession wearing traditional attire, adding to its color and diversity.   Following the procession, a cultural programme was held at the auditorium. Participants welcomed the Bangla New Year with songs, dances, and various performances in a joyful atmosphere.   The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Hill District Council Chairman Professor Thanjama Lusai, Deputy Commissioner Md. Saniul Ferdous, Superintendent of Police Md. Abdur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner Md. Abu Taleb, Municipal Administrator S. M. Manjurul Haque, and Director of the Cultural Institute of Small Ethnic Groups Nukraching Marma, among others.   Alongside the Bengali New Year celebrations, various ethnic communities in the district are also observing their own traditional New Year festivals with colorful events spanning several days, creating a unique cultural harmony in the region.   In Meherpur, a vibrant Baisakhi procession and cultural programme were held in the district to celebrate the Bengali New Year 1433.   The festivities began around 8:30 am with a colorful procession led by Deputy Commissioner Shilpi Rani Roy. The procession marched through the main roads of the town before concluding at Dr. Shaheed Shamsujoha Park.   Following the procession, a cultural programme and prize distribution ceremony took place at the park. The programme was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Shilpi Rani Roy.   Among those present were Superintendent of Police Ujjwal Kumar Roy, District BNP President and District Council Administrator Javed Masud Milton, Vice Principal of Government Women’s College Abdullah Al Amin, District BNP General Secretary Advocate Kamrul Hasan, and freedom fighter Shamsul Alam Sona.   In Sunamganj, Pahela Baishakh was celebrated in a befitting manner in the district today. District administration, political parties, various social and cultural organizations chalked out elaborate programmes, including rally, cultural events and sports, to mark the day.   The district administration organized the main programme at the July Square within the District Collectorate premises, beginning at 9:00 am. The programme opened with the national anthem followed by the iconic song “Eso He Boishakh,.”   A lively procession was brought out from July Square, featuring participation from various cultural organizations. The parade moved through key roads of the town before concluding at the Central Shaheed Minar.   Prior to the procession, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Mohammad Ilias Mia spoke about the historical and cultural significance of the Bengali New Year.   Following the procession, traditional Bengali games such as Lathi Khela and Saap Khela were held at the Shaheed Minar premises. Awards were later distributed among participating organisations in recognition of their contributions to the rally.   Superintendent of Police ABM Zakir Hossain PPM, Additional Deputy Commissioners Sunjit Kumar Chanda, Matiur Rahman Khan, and Aisha Akhter, along with representatives from political, social and cultural organizations were present.   In Thakurgaon, Pahela Boishakh was celebrated in the district with vibrant arrangement and festive atmosphere, welcoming the Bengali New Year 1433.   The day’s celebrations began early morning at Battala on the court premises of the town. ArtistEs from the local cultural organisation, Nikkon Sangeet Vidyalaya, ushered in the New Year with musical performances.   The venue soon resonated with Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrul Geeti, folk songs, Bhawaiya, and poetry recitations. The festive spirit was further heightened by the presence of men and women dressed in traditional red and white attire.   Following the morning programme, a colourful Baisakhi procession was brought out under the initiative of the district administration. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rafiqul Haque, District BNP President Mirza Faisal Amin, General Secretary Paigam Ali, along with representatives from various social, cultural, and educational institutions, participated in the procession, creating a lively atmosphere across the main streets of the town.   A day-long programme has been arranged, featuring a Baisakhi fair, rural sports, and diverse cultural performances.   Meanwhile, potters in the district’s Kumarpara areas remained busy crafting traditional clay items and Baisakhi products. Their colourful creations added a unique charm to the celebrations, reflecting the rich heritage of Bengal.    Besides, Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bangla New Year-1433, was celebrated in an inclusive manner in Sylhet, Habiganj, Dinajpur, Lakshmipur, Madaripur, Cumilla, Narayanganj, Sherpur, Joypurhat, Naogaon, Bhola, Jhalokathi, Barguna, Shariatpur, Panchagarh, Kushtia, Sirajganj, Patuakhali, Natore, Rajbari, Jashore, Netrokona, Chandpur, Noakhali, Magura, Kishoreganj, Tangail, Gazipur, Bogura, Jamalpur, Chapainawabganj, Feni, Gopalganj, Khagrachhari, Narail, Nilphamari and Satkhira districts involving people from all walks of life today.  

RANGPUR, April 14, 2026 (BSS) - People from all walks of life, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender and ethnic identity, celebrated Pahela Baishakh in a festive atmosphere today, turning Rangpur into a city of colour, enthusiasm and excitement. The district administration, District Shilpokola Academy, Sangskritik Oikya Parishad, government departments, socio-cultural organisations and educational institutions chalked out colourful programmes to welcome the first day of the Bengali New Year. Rangpur Metropolitan Police, District Police, RAB-13 and other law enforcement agencies took adequate steps to ensure watertight security during celebrations of the Baishakhi programmes across the city. Artists of different organisations simultaneously performed traditional Baishakhi and folk songs and cultural programmes at the Banyan Tree premises of the Zilla School ground and the Central Shaheed Minar premises in the city. The vibrant celebration of Pahela Baishakh began at 8 am with the national anthem and the rendition of the song "Eso Hey Baishakh..." at the Banyan Tree premises. Later, the district administration brought out a "Universal Baishakhi Shobhayatra" with the participation of people, including ethnic groups, carrying festoons, placards and banners and singing folk songs from the Zilla School grounds at 10 am. The procession reached the Town Hall premises after parading the main streets via Kachari Bazar, City Bazar, Paira Chattar, Jahaz Company Intersection and other points along the main city streets. Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam and Rangpur City Corporation Administrator Advocate Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury Don attended the procession as chief guest and special guest respectively. Deputy Commissioner of Rangpur Mohammad Ruhul Amin, Superintendent of Police Md Marufat Hussaine and Rangpur District Council Administrator Md Saiful Islam also participated in the event. Officials of the Rangpur divisional and district administrations, Rangpur Range DIG office, Rangpur Metropolitan Police, other government offices, leaders of BNP and other political parties and socio-cultural organisations also participated in the programmes. The enthusiasm of people of different ages, including children, teenagers and youth, who participated in the Shobhayatra, and the colourful traditional costumes, dancing, singing and chanting created a vibrant atmosphere. Everyone dressed in yellow, red, green and orange clothes participated in the colourful procession. Women wore flower garlands on their heads and colourful bangles, while children were seen excited. the joy procession featured artworks including large-scale portraits, bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages, puppets, birds and fish.  To attract the attention of city dwellers, traditional stick games, fishermen, blacksmiths, ploughs, yokes, wedding palanquins and musical instruments were displayed, along with songs portraying the lost traditions of rural Bengal. The enthusiastic crowd gathered on both sides of the city streets to watch the Baishakhi Shobhayatra procession. On this occasion, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation and National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh, with assistance from the district administration, organised a four-day Baishakhi Mela at the city's Public Library grounds. The District Shilpokola Academy and District Shishu Academy organised essay writing and painting competitions, cultural programmes and award distribution ceremonies at the Town Hall premises. Dozens of rural fairs, kite festivals, gatherings, painting exhibitions, Baishakhi fairs and sports events were organised in different areas of the city and district on the occasion. Chikley Lake Water Park, Rangpur Zoo Children's Park, Survi Udyan, Rupkotha Theme Park, Vinnojogot Entertainment Center, Hotel Grand Palace, Hotel North View and other hotels, restaurants, amusement parks and clubs were abuzz with visitors.