Mangoli Rani, 75, and her son Ananta Barman (seen in white Panjabi on the other side of the fence), 45, finally met on Pahela Baishakh this year after about ten years at the Omarkhana border in Panchagarh sadar upazila. Photo: Star

The beginning of the Bengali New Year is a special day for all Bengalis. But it's more so for some individuals who only get to see their loved ones on this day. Mangoli Rani, 75, of Kholishakuri village in Thakurgaon sadar upazila sat under a tree about five hundred yards away from the barbwire fence. Like her, many had gathered at the Omarkhana border in Panchagarh sadar upazila early Tuesday morning. Mangoli stared at the border fence and eagerly waited for a chance to see her loving son Ananta Barman, 45, living in Shiliguri of Jolpaiguri district in West Bengal, India. Pahela Baishakh brought thousands of Bangla speaking people on either sides of the border here, waiting for the moment when border guards of the two countries would allow them to go near the barbwire fence to see and talk to their loved ones for a few hours. 

At 10:30 am, the border security forces announced that people of both sides are allowed to go near the fence and stay there till 2:00 pm. People rushed to the border fence. Standing across the wire fence between pillars 743, 744 and 745, stretching almost 3-4 kilometre along the border, people of Bangladesh and India exchanged greetings and spoke heartily with their dear ones.

Thousands of people in both the countries, especially those who cannot afford to visit their relatives through actual travel, eagerly wait for this special day. The day has become an annual event of congregation for Bangla speaking friends and relatives who no longer live in 'one Bengal'. People from different districts of the two countries were seen exchanging various things including biscuits, small snacks (i.e. chanchur), cigarettes, pens, clothes and towels. Many of them cried out at the sight of their loved ones. But, some people were seen to be frustrated as they could not find their relatives.

Pahela Baishakh brought thousands of Bangla speaking people on either sides of the border, waiting for a chance to go near the barbwire fence to see and talk to their loved ones. Photo: Star

As residents of the same country before the 1947 partition and creation of India and the then Pakistan, people of the area were related in various ways. Mangoli Rani and her son Ananta Barman finally met on Pahela Baishakh this year after about ten years. Due to financial constraints, he cannot travel to Bangladesh. 

Saidur Rahman, 58, son of late Abdur Rahman of Rajnagar in Panchagarh municipality came with other family members to meet his niece Nehar Begum, 40, daughter of Samsul Alam of Forejdarpara in Bahadur Police Station of Jolpaiguri in West Bengal, India. They met each other after decades. Lalit Mohon, 62, a freedom fighter of Moidandighi village in Boda upazila of Panchagarh met his nephew Binoy, 50, son of late Deben Mohon Rajganj Bhimvita in Jolpaiguri district of West Bengal, India. 

Nurul Islam Prodhan, 65, of Pathkata Paharpur in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, India, said "Following the 1947 partition, relatives of many became residents of a different country. I'm one of them". He thanked the authorities of BSF and BGB for giving people like him the chance to meet their loved ones across the border every year on Pahela Baishakh.    

When contacted, Commanding Officer of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in Panchagarh Lt. Colonel Ariful Haque informed this correspondent over cellphone that considering emotions and requests of the people of both countries, they made this arrangement through interaction with the BSF. On the same day, a similar meeting of loved ones took place at the Dabri-Betna border area under Haripur upazila, Thakurgaon from 8:30am to 2:30pm, according to the BGB and local sources.