The government has prepared an elaborate programme to celebrate Pohela Baishakh, the Bangla New Year 1433, on 14 April.
National dailies will publish special supplements on the occasion. Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private TV channels will broadcast special programmes.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will issue separate messages marking the festival.
Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) and Chhayanaut will hold a cultural programme at Ramna Batamul in the morning of 14 April.
The Bangla Noboborsho programme will begin with the national anthem, followed by the traditional song “Eso He Baishakh… Eso Eso”.
Like previous years, students and teachers of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University will bring out the Baishakhi Procession in the morning of Pohela Baishakh. This year’s theme is “Noboborsher Oykotan, Gonotantrer Punuruthan”.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private media channels will broadcast the programmes live, said a press release.
Bangla Academy and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation will jointly organise a seven-day Baishakhi fair and discussion programmes on the Bangla Academy premises from 14 to 20 April.
Bangladesh Folk and Crafts Foundation will also arrange a 14-day traditional Baishakh fair on its premises starting 20 April.
Traditional meals will be served in all prisons, hospitals and shishu paribars. Cultural programmes will also be held with children from shishu paribars.
All museums and archaeological sites will remain open to the public on the day. Children, adolescents, students, persons with disabilities and children with special needs will be allowed free entry.
Baishakhi processions and cultural programmes will be held at district and upazila levels on the first day of Baishakh. Folk fairs and essay competitions for students will also be organised in district towns and upazilas.
Upazila administrations will also organise Baishakhi processions in each union.
All educational institutions will celebrate the Bangla New Year independently in festive settings.
Departments under the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, cultural institutes and academies of small ethnic groups will also organise their own programmes.
Special programmes and traditional food arrangements will be held in city hotels and clubs on the occasion.
Law enforcement agencies will ensure overall security at all national, district and upazila-level programmes.
