Md. Tanvir Hossain, JnU

The Bengali New Year 1431 has been celebrated at Jagannath University on Thursday in festive mood.

The day long Nabarsha programme was inaugurated through a colourful Mongol Sobhajatra in the morning and followed by a discussion session, folk music, and various cultural events.

On this day, the Mangal Shobhajatra commenced from the main gate of the university, passed through Old Dhaka’s Ray Shaheb Bazaar, Victoria Park, and concluded at the JnU Campus which was led by the vice chancellor of the university, Dr. Sadeka Halim.

This time, the integral part of the celebration of Bengali New Year acknowledged rickshaw painting as part of UNESCO's global intangible cultural heritage, and the slogan 'Let's Create A New Creation in Baishakh/As Joyful as the Heart and Body' has been highlighted, celebrating Bengali New Year. During the procession, a rickshaw is used to depict the symbolic journey of the newlyweds.

"Alongside the rickshaw art, motifs of endangered species like the tortoise are depicted. Additionally, motifs of the Barn Owl,flowers, bees, leaves, tiger faces, and various aspects of rural Bengal's folk art are prominently featured. The Mangal Shobhayatra was organised by the Fine Arts Faculty.

"At the end of the Mangal Shobhajatra, at 10 o'clock in the morning, during a discussion session, Dr. Sadeka Halim, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, stated that despite not being a residential university, Jagannath University celebrates the Bengali New Year on a grand scale within limited resources. Various cultural events were organized throughout the day. The essence of education lies in its students. Through such events, our teachers and students can showcase their talents. Beginning with West Bengal, then East Bengal, followed by East Pakistan, and finally, this nation has carved its place as an independent sovereign state on the world map as Bangladesh, thanks to the contributions of the greatest Bengali, the father of the nation, Bangabandhu. May Bangabandhu's contributions inspire the consciousness of our new generation."

She further added, "Jagannath University is a non-sectarian, progressive university. It should be a place where communal consciousness does not find a foothold. I believe in that vision, which believes in the consciousness of the Liberation War. The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has shown us the path through the four pillars of the constitution, and it is with that constitution that I aspire to lead Jagannath University as its guardian."

During the discussion session, the Treasurer of Jagannath University, Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir Chowdhury, the President and Secretary of the Teachers' Association, the Chairman of the Employees' Association, and the President of the Staff Association also provided further remarks. Then, the rural procession began, witnessing joy among the ordinary students. Additionally, various organisations like the Fine Arts Club, Music Department, Cultural Centre, Recitation Society, Udichi Shilpi Gosthi, and Jagannath University Band Music Association actively participated.

Since 2014, Jagannath University has been hosting the Mangal Shobhajatra. After Dhaka University's Fine Arts Department, Jagannath University has been organizing the largest campus-based Mangal Shobhajatra.