CHATTOGRAM, Apr 15: Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year 1431, was celebrated in the port city Chattogram amidst great festivity and enthusiasm on Sunday. The district administration, Chattogram City Corporation, along with various socio-cultural, professional, and business organizations, NGOs, private bodies, and educational institutions, had chalked out colourful programmes to welcome the Bangla New Year.
Thousands of people of all ages, dressed in traditional attire and carrying festoons, placards, and banners, sang "Esho Hey Boishakh Esho Esho" as they participated in the main Baishakhi rally to welcome Pahela Baishakh. A colourful "Mangol Shobha Jattara" was brought out from the fine arts institute at 9 am, and the rally paraded through different important city roads to welcome the Bengali New Year.
In addition, a three-day Boisabi festival began in Chattogram Hill districts by members of the ethnic community since April 12 last. The members of the ethnic minority communities or indigenous peoples of the Chattogram Hill Tracts observed Boisabi Utsab, the biggest cultural festival, which concluded on April 14 last. The festival marks bidding farewell to the past year and welcoming the new one with a variety of colourful programmes.
