POBNEWS24, New Delhi Apr 15, 2023 : Bengali festival Pahela Boishakh was celebrated in Indian capital New Delhi to welcome Bengali New Year 1430.
At the same time, the final arrangements of Netaji-Bangabandhu Jan Chetana Yatra are going on.
The festival was inaugurated at the Bipinchandra Pal Trust Auditorium in Chittaranjan Park, Delhi on Friday afternoon (April 14), according to a message received here today.
The three-day long festival is jointly organized by the Bangladesh-India History and Heritage Council and Bihu Creation.
The slogan of the opening day of the festival was – Tomar Khola Hawai.
At the beginning, the program started auspiciously by lighting the mangal lamp.
Chief advisor of the festival arrangement committee prominent economist and former governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Atiur Rahman, chief guest distinguished military expert Major General (retd) PK Chakraborty, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India Nurul Islam, former president of Press Club of India Gautam Lahiri and others were present.
In the opening speech, PK Chakraborty said, ‘Cultural ties and friendly relations between the two countries will be strengthened through holding such an event. This year’s Bangla festival in Delhi on Pahela Baisakh has become a meeting place for cultural workers of both countries, which I believe will continue in the future.’
Chief advisor of the festival organizing committee prominent economist Dr. Atiur Rahman said that this kind of arrangement over Pahela Baishakh is very important to protect the cultural heritage of both countries. Presenting the current picture of Bangladesh in the long fifty years after the killing of Bangabandhu and his family in 75 years after independence, he said that the incredible development of the country today has been possible due to the visionary leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina.
Former President of Press Club of India Gautam Lahiri said, Bangla festival is a cultural meeting of both countries. Various aspects of the integral cultural heritage of the two countries are emerging through the performance of famous artists and cultural workers of the two Bengals.
Ashraful Islam, coordinator of the festival organizing committee and general secretary of Bangladesh-India History and Heritage Council, gave the welcome address on the occasion with Bangladesh-India History and Heritage Council President Tapas Hor in the chair.
Welcome speech was given by Nurul Islam, Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, Shaban Mahmud, Press Minister of Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, Convener of Netaji-Bangabandhu Jano Chetana Yatra Shri Bodhisattva Tarafdar, Councilor of Delhi Municipality Kumari Anshu Thakur, Professor Dr. Uttam Kumar Barua along with two prominent people of Bengal.
The program was moderated by recitalist Rupashree Chakraborty.
In the cultural phase of the program, dance was performed by prominent dancer of Dhaka Sharmila Banerjee and the artists of her dance education institute Nrityanandan.
Renowned Rabindra Sangeet singer Lily Islam performed the song. Ravi Geetika of India performed the ballad ‘Basant’.
Finally, the play ‘Trial of Suryasen’ directed by dramatist Nader Chowdhury of Dhaka Infantry was staged.
End/
