BSS-56 President, PM for celebrating Pahela Baishakh at homes

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BSS-56

PRESIDENT-PM-PAHELA-BAISHAKH

President, PM for celebrating Pahela Baishakh at homes

DHAKA, April 13, 2020 (BSS) – President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina today called upon the countrymen to celebrate the Pahela
Baishakh in a digital method staying at respective their homes in the wake of
coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

They gave separate messages greeting the countrymen on the occasion of
Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year 1427, to be celebrated
tomorrow.

President Abdul Hamid, in his message, said Pahela Baishakh is a jovial and
bright day for a massive get-together of Bangalees.

“The use of Bangla calendar is interconnected with our social and familial
life including art, literature, culture, agriculture, business and
festivals,” he said.

So, he said, the appeal of Bangla New Year is eternal and universal in the
life of the Bangalee nation.

The President said this year the nation is going to celebrate the day at a
time when the entire world is facing havoc of novel coronavirus outbreak as
hundreds of people are dying and being infected by the virus every day and
Bangladesh is also a victim of this viral infection.

“Now it is our biggest responsibility to save the nation and its people
from the clutch of coronavirus. So, it is a must to follow health guidelines
and ensure social distancing in a proper manner,” he said.

He said the government has already taken different steps. “So, let us face
the corona situation with consciousness without being panicked,” he added.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangla New Year and the
Bangalee nationalism is interconnected.

The Bangalee nation irrespective of castes, creeds and religions
traditionally bears the New Year festival as one of the major components of
their lifestyle and culture, she said.

She said the celebration of Pahela Baishakh has brought a newer dimension
to the national economy through vibrant business and trade of new dresses,
sweets and varieties of food items as well as Halkhata festival.

“We the Bangalees have taken various initiatives to keep intact the
universal cultural heritage of the nation,” she said.

The Prime Minister said festival bonus has been introduced for the
government officials and employees.

Today Mangal Shovajatra, a procession brought on the first day of Bengali
New Year, has taken a place in the list of UNESCO’s cultural heritage, she
said.

She said the present world is facing the disaster of coronavirus outbreak
which has already been termed as a pandemic by the World Health Organization
(WHO).

“Under the circumstances, I urge all to celebrate Bangla New Year staying
at homes to avoid public gatherings,” she said.

She urged the people to face the coronavirus situation concertedly and
“this should be our pledge on Bangla New Year”.

BSS/PR/MKD/KU/2245 HRS