Happy Pahela Baishakh to all

The nation welcomes the first day of Bangla new year 1426 today amid vibrant pageantry, leaving behind the gloom of the past and upholding the opulent cultural heritage.

On the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday greeted people of the country. The president and prime minister issued separate messages in this regard, reports BSS.

President Hamid, in his message, said Pahela Baishakh is an integral part of Bangalee culture. Bangalees have been celebrating the day as a universal and non-communal festival, he added.

He said Mangal Shobhajatra, an integral part of the celebration, has been recognised as the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco in 2016. The vibrant and colourful procession is joined by tens of thousands of people from all walks of life.

He wished that the new year would bring happiness, peace and progress for the country.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the nation starts the first day with hope, forgetting all shortcomings and sorrows.

Business communities, especially in rural areas, are ready to open their traditional “Halkhata” (new ledgers), while sweets will be distributed among patrons to mark the day, she said.

The Awami League government has been working relentlessly for the country's development being inspired by the spirit of Liberation War, she said. The incumbent government is completing the unfinished works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she added.

In the last 10 years, the country has achieved desired progress in every sector. Bangladesh is now a role model in the world for socio-economic development, she added.

The government has been following a “zero tolerance” policy to eradicate militancy, terrorism and drugs, she added.

“We have started implementing the 100-year 'Delta Plan-2100' first in the world. Bangladesh is one of the five countries in the world in economic development,” she said.

Around 90 percent of the development works are done with the country's own fund for the sake of people who voted for Awami League in the 11th parliamentary elections, she said.

“We will make Bangladesh a middle income country by 2021 and a prosperous one before 2041,” she said.

ERSHAD CONVEYS GOOD WISHES

Jatiya Party Chairman and opposition leader HM Ershad also issued a message greeting people of the country.

He wished that the new year would bring happiness and prosperity to all.

US GREETS BANGALEES

The US government and American people have greeted Bangalees on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh.

“On behalf of the American people and the Government of the United States of America, I wish a joyous New Year to Bengalis around the world,” said Morgan Ortagus, spokesperson of the State Department.

In a press statement issued in Washington DC, she said this holiday, celebrated in Bangladesh, India and around the world, is an opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage and vast contributions made by speakers of the Bangla language.

“It is also a time to reflect on the long history of friendship between the peoples of United States and Bangladesh and our growing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region,” Morgan said, wishing a happy Pahela Baishakh.