Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, extended his greetings to the countrymen on the occasion of Bengali New Year 1432, saying, “The mass uprising of 24 has given us an opportunity to build a discrimination-free Bangladesh. Let us not miss this opportunity. Let building a discrimination-free Bangladesh be our commitment this New Year.”
In his New Year greetings, he called on the countrymen to build a new Bangladesh and said, “Pahela Boishakh is a day of harmony, a day of great unity. Today is a day to embrace everyone. This New Year is the first New Year of the new Bangladesh. Let us forget the sorrows, sorrows, ugliness and evil of the past years and move forward with new conviction and new enthusiasm. Let us build a new Bangladesh.”
Highlighting the importance of playing an active role in preserving the culture and heritage of Bangladesh, Professor Yunus said, “I request all of us to play an active role in preserving the culture and heritage of Bangladesh and taking it forward. Let us not keep these traditions to ourselves, let us spread our culture to the world.”
Referring to the New Year as the universal and life festival of Bengalis, he said, “Pahela Baishakh is the festival of our life, the universal festival of Bengalis. Wherever Bengalis are in the world, today is a day of joy for all of us, a day of welcoming the year.”
Speaking about the origin of the Bengali year, Professor Yunus said, “The Bengali year was started for the convenience of agriculture, as a ‘harvest year’. Even today, farmers in this country sow seeds and harvest according to the Bengali date.”
He said, “Even in modern times, many people have retained the tradition of ‘Halkhata’ in the markets, cities and ports of Bangladesh. At the New Year’s Baisakhi fair, entrepreneurs across the country showcase their creativity by making traditional Shital Pati, clay pots and pans, toys, hand fans, etc. to mark this day.”
Regarding the participation of ethnic groups from the hills and plains, he said, “Different ethnic groups from the hills and plains are also celebrating the festival on a large scale this time on Chaitra Sankranti and New Year.”
Finally, he extended New Year greetings to the countrymen and said, “May the New Year 1432 usher in auspicious days for all of us. May the New Year 1432 usher in new and profound joy for all of us, I wish.”
Professor Yunus wished success to all the initiatives and events organized on the occasion of the New Year.
