Md. Mafiz Uddin Sarker, Rangpur 

Bengali New Year 1432 Pahela Baishakh was celebrated in Rangpur on Monday, April 14, with various colorful arrangements.

On this occasion, in the morning, a colorful procession was organized by the Rangpur District Administration in the style of rural tradition, from the Rangpur District School Grounds to the main roads of the city. So many men and women, children and teenagers, and young people participated in various colorful costumes.

At this time, the city residents were greeted with cultural performances. Teachers and students of various educational institutions, political, cultural and administrative figures participated in it. Later, the procession ended at the Town Hall Ground. Natural art works were used in the procession, including traditional horse-drawn carriages, bullock carts and  palanquins etc.

Earlier, Divisional Commissioner Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Rangpur Range DIG Mohammad Aminul Islam, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mohammad Majid Ali, Pushi Super Mohammad Abu Saim and others delivered welcome speeches at the program organized at the Battala stage of Rangpur District School Ground. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Faisal presided over the program. During this time, radio and television presenters presented cultural programs. At the end, prizes were distributed among the winners of various competitions.

A 5-day fair organized by the District BSCIC and the National Small and Cottage Industries Association (NASIB) and the district administration has started at the Rangpur Town Hall premises on the occasion of the New Year. Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam inaugurated it on Monday morning. On this occasion, high-quality food was served in prisons and various hospitals.

In addition, New Year's programs were held at various educational institutions including Rangpur Begum Rokeya University on the occasion of the Bengali New Year. Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur celebrated the two-day Bengali New Year 1432 with colorful arrangements. On this occasion, Vice-Chancellor Prof  Dr. Mohammad Shawkat Ali inaugurated the New Year Ananda Shobhajatra from the south gate of the university's administrative building on Monday morning.

The procession, accompanied by the rhythm of Baishakh songs, flutes and music, circumambulated the main road of the campus, Parker Mor, Shaheed Abu Sayeed Chattar, Modern Mor. Various traditions and cultures of Bengali society were displayed in the procession with the participation of teachers, students, officials and employees.

After the procession, the Vice-Chancellor visited the stalls of the Baisakhi Fair organized by various departments in front of the academic building. A pleasant cultural program was organized in the media square in the afternoon on the occasion of Pohela Baishakh. In addition, special food was arranged for the students of the university's residential halls. On the first day of the two-day event to mark the Bengali New Year, a kite-flying festival was organized on the university's football field on the afternoon of April 13.