S.M. Mizanur Rahman :Preparations are afoot to celebrate ‘Pahela Baishakh’, the first day of the Bengali New Year 1423, today (Thursday) amid huge enthusiasm, fanfare and traditional festivities in tight security across the country.All metropolitan cities including capital Dhaka, district towns as well as villages have already worn festive look on the occasion. The authorities concerned have taken tight security measures to celebrate the ‘Pahela Baishakh’ festivities in a peaceful atmosphere in their respective areas.Capital Dhaka puts on a festive look, and, from the early morning, people in attire in traditional dress throng Ramna Batamul and other programme venues in the city and elsewhere in thecountry to celebrate the first day of the Bangla year.However, the government has announced that no outdoor programme will be allowed after 5:00pm on the day due to security reason. When the people were about to say good bye to Bengali year, a massive 6.9 magnitude earthquake jolted capital Dhaka and other parts of the country last night creating panic all over.In capital Dhaka, thousands of panic-stricken people rushed out into the streets for safety.According to the USGS, the quake located 74 kilometers (45 miles) southeast of Mawlaik, in Myanmar which is 460 km from Dhaka. Meanwhile, Met Office forecast that the temperature may soar up to 37 degree Celsius in capital Dhaka today. The weather outlook for celebration of the day is gloomy with a forecast of scorching heat and “unbearable” humidity.The centres of celebration in the capital, such as Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, Shahbagh and Dhaka University campus, are under multi-tier security net.The students of Faculty of Fine Arts – popularly known as Charu Kala Institution on Wednesday passed busy day putting finishing touches to their artworks on their campus.The festivity in the city begins after sunrise with the gathering of thousands of people under the banyan tree at Ramna Udyan where artistes of cultural organisation Chhayanaut will render the traditional Pahela Baishakh song — “Esho hey Baishakh”–to welcome the day. Mangal Shobhajatra, a procession marking the day will march from the Faculty of Fine Arts of DU in the morning. The carnival goers will flock to Baishakhi Mela (fair), a major feature of the celebration throughout the day.They will be enjoying food items like Panta Bhat (rice soaked in water) with Ilish fry, lentil and smoked chilli at way side shops. The Bangla year with its first month Baishakh was introduced during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar from 1556-1605AD. Today is a public holiday. President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Begum Raushan Ershad, and Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in separate messages yesterday greeted the nation on the occasion.Different socio-cultural organizations and government institutions have drawn up elaborate programmes like musical functions, colourful marches and street side Baishakhi fairs in the capital as elsewhere across the country to welcome the Bengali New Year.However, business communities, especially in the rural areas are ready to open their traditional ‘Halkhata’, new account books to welcome the Bengali New Year.
