KHAGRACHHARI, April 9, 2025 (BSS) - The Baishabi festival, a major festival 
of the small ethnic peoples of Chittagong Hill Tracts welcoming the Bangla 
New Year, was inaugurated today in the district with various programmes.

Khagrachhari Region Commander Brigadier General Sharif Md. Aman Hasan 
inaugurated the festival at the Khagrachhari Hill District Council premises 
at 10 am.

People from the Chakma, Marma and Tripura communities participated in the 
inaugural programme. This time, the Chakma, Marma and Tripura people are 
celebrating their new year in Khagrachhari with various events. 

A colorful rally, organised by the Khagrachhari District Council, was brought 
out to celebrate Biju, Sangrai and Baisu programmes. 

People of different ages participated in the rally wearing their traditional 
costumes.
 
Duty Commander of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) Colonel 
Atiqur Rahman, Khagrachhari Zila Parishad Chairman Jiruna Tripura, 
Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Iftekharul Islam Khandaker, Chief Executive 
Officer of the Task Force for Repatriation and Rehabilitation of Tribal 
Refugees Returning to India Krinch Chandra Chakma, Joint Director of National 
Security Intelligence (NSI) Nasir Mahmud Gazi, council members, officials of 
various government and non-government organisations, and leaders of social 
organisations participated in the rally. 

The young people, who were excited after participating in the rally, 
organised a traditional display at the town hall premises after the 
procession. 

Chinghra Mong Chowdhury, public relations officer of Khagrachhari Hill 
District Council, said the cultural diversity of the Chakma, Marma and 
Tripura communities was displayed in the colorful procession.

Khagrachhari Zila Parishad Chairman Jiruna Tripura said the bond of harmony 
and brotherhood among the people living in the hills will be further 
strengthened through the Baishabi procession.

The Biju Utsab of the Chakma community will begin on the morning of April 12 
with the floating of flowers in the Chengi River.