DHAKA, April 13, 2019 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today issued separate messages greeting the countrymen on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year 1426, to be celebrated tomorrow upholding the rich cultural values and rituals of the Bangalis.
President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said Pahela Baishakh is an integral part of Bangali culture. The Bangalis have been celebrating the Pahela Baishakh as a universal and non-communal festival for a long period of time,” he added.
He said the traditional Mangal Shovajatra, a procession brought on the first day of Bengali New Year, got UNESCO recognition in 2016 as world heritage.
He expressed firm belief that this day will bring the strength to the national life to build Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He wished that Bengali New Year 1426 would bring happiness, peace and progress for the country.
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the nation starts the first day of Bengali New Year with the hope of progress of life forgetting all shortcomings and sorrows.
Business communities, especially in the rural areas, are ready to open their traditional ‘Halkhata’, new account books, while sweets will be distributed among customers to mark the day, she said.
The Awami League government has been working relentlessly for the development of the country being inspired by the spirit of the great liberation war, she said, adding that the incumbent government is completing the unfinished works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In the last 10 years, the country has achieved desired progress in every sector of the country, she said, adding that Bangladesh is now the role model in the world for socio-economic development.
The government has been working following the policy of ‘Zero Tolerance’ for the eradication of militancy, terrorism and drugs, she added.
“We have started implementing the hundred-year ‘Delta Plan-2100’ first in the world. Bangladesh is one of the five countries in the world in economic development,” she said.
A total of 90pc of the development works are done by the country’s own fund for the sake of the people who voted for Awami League in the 11th parliamentary elections held in December 30, 2018, she said.
“We will make Bangladesh a middle income country by 2021 and a prosperous country before 2041,” she said.