"You will see they have qualities to impress you," she told the diplomats of various countries assigned to Bangladesh.

Khaleda was addressing a function to exchange greetings of Bangla New Year 1413 with ambassadors, high commissioners, charge d' affaires and representatives of various international organisations at Hotel Sonargaon yesterday evening.

"Give recognition to their successes; then they will get inspiration to advance on their own. They will feel encouraged and find strength to overcome distress and suffering with smiling faces," she said, underlining the resilience of the people of Bangladesh.

She said economic and cultural importance of the Bengali New Year is immense in this agrarian society because the people of Bangladesh make preparations for the new year with a festive atmosphere to settle all their accounts of the bygone year.

"Our sense of life, trend of work and rich cultural heritage become brightened through the welcoming of new year," she told the foreigners.

She exchanged new year's greetings and pleasantries with the diplomats and thanked the foreign ministry for arranging the get-together.

Spouses of the diplomats, ministers and distinguished personalities from various sectors also joined the function of Pahela Baishakh celebrations.

A lively cultural show covering Bangla traditional songs, dances and folksongs were staged. Artistes of different foreign countries participated in the cultural carnival that enthralled the audience.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan delivered his welcoming address at the outset of the function.