RAJSHAHI, April 13, 2024 (BSS)- People of the metropolis along with other
parts of the district are set to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, first day of the
Bengali New Year-1431, tomorrow.

Preparation for the celebration started at the beginning of April.

Local administration, Rajshahi City Corporation, educational institutions,
political parties and various other social and cultural organisations chalked
out elaborate programmes marking the celebration.

Programmes of the day will be heralded in the city amid a "Mongol Shobayatra"
from Bangabandhu crossing to Shishu Academy premises followed by a cultural
function. Rajshahi district administration will arrange the colourful rally
and cultural ceremony.

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) will host a daylong celebration programme.

Cultural groups and different organisations including Sammilita Sangskritik
Jote will arrange various programmes like musical functions, colourful
marches and street side Baishakhi melas (fairs) in the city. They will bring
out Baishakhi processions in the city streets.

Baishakhi melas, cultural functions, staging of dramas, doll-dances, Nagor
Dola, kite flying competitions and discussions meeting will also be held.

Various educational institutions including Rajshahi University, Rajshahi
University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi Medical University,
Rajshahi College and Rajshahi Medical College have set various programmes to
celebrate the festival.

The Faculty of Fine Arts in Rajshahi University along with university
administrative officials are scheduled to bring out a colorful rally titled
Mongol procession around 9:30am in front of the faculty building.

They have also chalked out a three-day programme of folk songs, gambhira
dance, band music and jatra pala at the university Charu Chattar to celebrate
Pahela Baishakh of the Bengali New Year-1431.

Inmates of hospitals, jail, safe home and SOS Shishu Pally will be served
improved diets marking the celebration.
 
Amusement places like zoos and parks will remain open for the visitors
throughout the day.

Meanwhile, the law enforcement agencies, particularly Rajshahi Metropolitan
Police (RMP), have adopted tightened security measures to make the daylong
celebration a total success.

Plain cloth Police, Mobile Petrol team, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) would be
deployed while huge electronic devices including close circuit cameras have
been set up to mark the 'Pahela Baishakh'.