Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury\u00a0today said the Pahela Baishakh procession will be brought out under the name\u00a0'Baishakhi Shobhajatra' instead of 'Mangal' or 'Ananda' Shobhajatra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"The government has decided to adopt the name 'Baishakhi Shobhajatra' to end\u00a0ongoing debates and move forward with renewed enthusiasm,\" he told\u00a0journalists after a meeting at the conference room of the Ministry of\u00a0Cultural Affairs at the Secretariat, marking the upcoming Bangla New Year\u00a01433.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister said there had long been discussions and criticisms surrounding\u00a0the celebration of Pahela Baishakh, which he described as undesirable and\u00a0potentially harmful to society. \"To put an end to all controversies, the\u00a0government has taken the decision,\" he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said preparations for the procession at Dhaka University's Fine Arts\u00a0faculty are progressing in full swing, adding that the procession will, as\u00a0usual, begin from the faculty premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Highlighting the historical significance of Pahela Baishakh, the minister\u00a0said the festival is deeply rooted in the agrarian traditions of Bengal,\u00a0evolving around agriculture, seasonal cycles, and the beginning of a new\u00a0year.
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\"It is a universal festival of all communities, including Chakma, Marma,\u00a0Tripura, Garo and other ethnic groups,\" he said, adding that the present\u00a0government is committed to unity in diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DU Vice-Chancellor (VC), directors general of Kazi Nazrul Institute, Bangla\u00a0Academy, Bangladesh National Museum and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, along\u00a0with the Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and senior officials of\u00a0the concerned ministries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The minister said Pahela Baishakh symbolizes joy and prosperity, and the\u00a0festival's essence lies in welcoming the New Year by leaving behind past\u00a0grievances and aspiring for a better future.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that the recent controversy over the naming of the procession would\u00a0now come to an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also informed that daylong cultural programmes will be held at various\u00a0venues in the capital, including Ramna Batamul, to mark the occasion, with\u00a0necessary preparations already completed by the concerned organisations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding UNESCO, the minister said the authorities concerned will be\u00a0formally informed about the naming decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cultural Minister said that the highest level of security measures will\u00a0be in place for Pahela Baishakh celebrations, with law enforcement agencies\u00a0deployed to prevent any untoward incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, a press release issued by Dhaka University on Tuesday last said\u00a0the procession will begin at 9:00am from the Faculty of Fine Arts, proceeding\u00a0through Raju Sculpture, Doel Chattar and Bangla Academy, before returning to\u00a0the starting point.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury\u00a0today said the Pahela Baishakh procession will be brought out under the name\u00a0'Baishakhi Shobhajatra' instead of 'Mangal' or 'Ananda' Shobhajatra. \"The government has decided to adopt the name 'Baishakhi Shobhajatra' to end\u00a0ongoing debates and move forward with renewed enthusiasm,\" he told\u00a0journalists after a meeting at the conference room of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":33384,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,93],"tags":[46],"class_list":["post-33383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bangladesh","category-nationwide","tag-46"],"yoast_head":"\n