Pahela Baishakh fervour grips The Hague

To celebrate Bangla New Year more than 700 people gathered at Bangladesh House in the Netherlands on Pahela Baishakh. Apart from a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis, Deputy Mayor of the Hague Rabin Baldewsing; Foreign Ministry officials; Ambassadors of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Yemen, Afghanistan, Mexico and South Africa and others participated in the celebration. The daylong programme began with the traditional Mangal Shobhajatra on the theme 'Culture for Humanity', says a press release.

'Bangladesh House', the residence of the Bangladesh Ambassador, was beautifully decorated with traditional motifs like alpona, balloons, festoons, posters, flowers to showcase Bengali culture.

In his speech, Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh in the Netherlands, highlighted that celebration of Bangla New Year is no more limited to Bangladesh but has become a universal celebration. NRBs were requested to represent cultural heritage of Bangladesh in their destination country and disseminate knowledge and experience gathered in the Netherlands for the development of our beloved motherland.

A cultural programme follows where expat Bangalee artistes; Trimatrik, a musical band of NRBs, and a team of guest artistes fascinated the audience with their presentation of Bangla songs.

Later, the Embassy served traditional Baishakhi cuisine.