new year upon us

Baishakh is upon us. The Bengalis await the first day of the 'Nababarsha' with new hopes and aspirations.

The Bengali New Year will fall on Wednesday with the new sun hopefully heralding days of peace and prosperity ahead.

The Children Theatre Federation bids formal farewell to 1416 through Chaitra Sankranti with the lighting of 'mangal pradip' and rendition of songs on the last day of the year at Doel Chattar on Dhaka University campus.

The students of the Bangla Department at Dhaka University also hosted Chaitra Sankranti in the evening on the university's Arts Faculty premises.

The whole nation is set to welcome the New Year and different programmes are chalked out to celebrate the day.

The central attraction of Pahela Baishakh is the 40-year old regular programme of Chhayanaut at Ramna Batamul.

Chhayanaut has finished all arrangements for its programme. Like every year, the musical programme is furnished with devotional and patriotic songs.

The Fine Art Institute of Dhaka University has finished its last minute preparations to bring out a Mangal procession.

The arts students make tireless efforts for days to prepare different masks and figures of birds and animals.

The day is being celebrated amid tight security following the 2001 bomb attack at the Chayanaut programme.

Around 8,000 law enforcers including the RAB, Swat, police and intelligence officers are equipped with dog squads, CCTV cameras and, for the first time, infra-red cameras to ensure maximum security.

Chhayanaut general secretary Khairul Anam Shakil told bdnews24.com that this year's reception programme would run from 6am to 8am.

Different political parties including Awami League and BNP have planned different programmes.

Awami League will bring out a rally from Bahadur Shah Park whilst the BNP will hold a cultural show at Muktagon.

As per the government calendar, Pahela Baishakh falls on Apr 14 but according to the traditional calendar it should fall on Apr 15

RECEPTION AT BANGABHABAN

President Zillur Rahman will host a reception for those awarded the Swadhinata and Ekushey Padak awards, along with notable writers, poets and other dignitaries.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina and cabinet members will also attend the programme.

The mass media will air a special programme highlighting the day.

Upazila, district and divisional administrations will organise colourful cultural shows, discussions and village fairs.

All prisons, hospitals and orphanages will supply their inmates with improved diet.

Children and prisoners will take part in cultural shows in orphanages and prisons respectively.

Shilpakala Academy will arrange a three day programme.

Shishu Aacdemy, Bangla Academy and Sonargaon Crafts Foundation will organise the traditional Baishakhi fair.

People will have free access to all museums and archaeological sites.

BACKGROUND

The Bengali year was introduced during the regime of Emperor Akbar to facilitate revenue collection in the 16th century.

Ameer Fateh Ullah Sirajee, member of Akbar's Nabaratna initiated the "crop year" by mixing the solar year with lunar year.

It was Sirajee who began counting Bengali Nababarsha from Baishakh after combining Hizri with Bengali year.

The name Baishakh was derived from a heavenly body named 'Bishakha.'

However, in Bangladesh, the celebration was first shifted in 1988, following a coordinating committee recommendation.

It suggested to observe the day on Apr 14, saying that it would be scientific, instead of following 'panjika'.

The committee was formed under the supervision of the Bangla Academy in 1963. Veteran academician Dr Muhammad Shahidullah and Dr Meghnad Saha were among the top members.