Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki said that this year there will be a different Baishakh event by bringing all cultures together.
“Earlier, only Bengalis participated in the Mangal Shobhajatra. There were no other ethnic groups. However, this time the procession will not only include Bengalis, but will be an inclusive procession of all ethnic groups including Chakma, Marma, Santal, Garo,” he said.
He said this while talking to reporters at the secretariat on Sunday afternoon.
The Cultural Advisor said, “This time the procession will be in a different format. Whether the name of the Mangal Shobhajatra will be changed or not will be decided at a function at Dhaka University (DU) on Monday. Even if the name of the Mangal Shobhajatra is changed, there will be no problem with UNESCO recognition.”
He also said that UNESCO had recognized the procession.
Farooki said that this time there will be no instruction that the Pahela Baishakh ceremony has to end by evening. However, the police will inform how long it will last.
He said, “On this year's Baishakh, a drone show will be organized in front of the Parliament House in the evening. There will also be cultural programs.”
Meanwhile, the DU VC said, “Different ethnic groups have their own identity, tradition and unity. This year's Pahela Baishakh will be celebrated by maintaining that own tradition and unity. This year's Baishakh will be a mixture of everyone's traditions and customs. This year's festival will be held in a different context, bringing together all ethnic groups.”
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
