Bangladesh mission in Delhi celebrates Pahela Baishakh

Musical soiree, recitation and hopes of a new start marked the celebration of Bangla Nababarsho at the Bangladesh High Commission in India's New Delhi this evening.

The celebrations at the Maitree Hall began with Rabinganath Tagore's song "O Amaar Desher Maati" after which the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali said Pahela Baishakh comes with a message of "hope and optimism" for a better tomorrow.

He said Nababarsho celebration in Dhaka is not only secular and non-communal festival but is the biggest event involving the masses cutting across religious lines.

Many Indian friends of Bangladesh, members of the Bengali community and officials of the High Commission and their families in traditional colours of Baishakh gathered at the Maitree Hall to welcome the New Year.

Recitation of Tagore's poem "Aaji e prabhatey robir kar" and an array of Tagore, Nazrul, Lalon and folk songs were presented by officials of the High Comission and "Spandan", a cultural group.

The programme was rounded off with a typical Bangla dinner of khichuri, ruhi maach bhaja, begun bhaja and murighonto. In deference to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's appeal, hilsa was not served.