Tomorrow is Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year. This year No ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ (procession of good wishes) will be brought out to celebrate the day considering the current pandemic situation. The decision has been taken by the Dhaka University authorities, according to a press release issued on Monday.
However, portraits, symbols and art works prepared by the artist of Fine arts faculty featuring the Mangal Shobhajatra, will be exhibited and broadcast virtually, added the press release.
The university authorities have also asked the authorities concerned and people to refrain from arranging any gatherings or organising any cultural event on the day as it may result in aggravating the transmission of coronavirus.
The DU authorities urged everyone to avoid all kinds of gatherings on the first day of the Bengali New Year and enjoy the festival watching programs from home as it will be aired on Television.
Earlier the authorities had decided to celebrate the day despite the pandemic on a limited scale with only 100 persons holding a Mangal Shobhajatra at the Institute of Fine Arts of Dhaka University. The procession was supposed to be confined within the premises of the Institute of Fine Arts with restricted entrance. The premises of the Institute of Fine Arts was being decorated accordingly.
This year the Pahela Baishakh will be celebrated virtually under the theme which roughly translates to ‘something delightful is on the way in the guise of the dreadful’.
