Pictured Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal and spouse Dr Dilruba Nasrin.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal and spouse Dr Dilruba Nasrin warmly welcomed guests from all spheres of life to celebrate Pohela Boishakh at Bangladesh House on April 17th 2016, those who attended included Ambassadors, Dutch MFA representatives, a Mayor, representatives of Municipalities and many others. Ambassador Sheikh Belal in his welcome address called for the redoubling of efforts in order to attain a balanced and equal world. He also referred to an event that took place 45 years ago on the 17th April 1971. The Government of Bangladesh in exile, a Provisional government was established in Mujibnagar during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Mayor Jan Hoekema of Wassenaar and H.E. Mr. Jagdish Saksena Mukul, Ambassador of India as well as other invitees conveyed their best wishes Shubhô Nôbobôrsho to the Bengali people, in particular Bangladesh.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157666762658640
What is Pohela Boishakh? It is the first day of the Bengali calendar also known as New Year’s Day. Generally speaking, the festival starts at dawn with a rendition of songs by the renowned Rabindranath Tagore.
The day is not only celebrated in Bangladesh but also in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and various other places in Southern Asia. Pohela Boishakh is a colorful celebration where dressing up in lavish traditional Bangladeshi outfit has become the norm.
As a part of the festivities in Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh, there is a stunning parade organized by the students of Faculty of Fine Arts from the University of Dhaka. Whilst watching the parade, one can see the vibrant colors, listen to the rolling of drums, smell the fragrances and have the feeling of being on any of the Caribbean islands on Carnival Tuesday.
Taking into account the Bangladeshi population of 170 million people, Ambassador Sheikh Belal remarked in his speech how Pohela Boishah might be the largest carnival celebration on earth. Back at Bangladesh House in Wassenaar, featuring on the program were: cultural dances, presentations, music and the famous Bangladeshi singer and TV personality Samina Chowdhury who was flown in from Bangladesh to perform at the celebrations.
Pohela Boishakh is not only fun, it’s also a day of reflection and contemplation. The festival symbolizes universality and cultural unity, but most importantly Pohela Boishakh is a matter of pride for the Bangladeshi people, it offers possibilities for the much-needed assimilation of world cultures.
A buffet concluded the 2016 Pohela Boishakh celebrations at Bangladesh House, where the guest were invited to try hilsha fish, a traditional Bangladeshi delicacy eaten during the Pohela Boishakh festivities.
For additional Kim Vermaat’s pictures, please click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/albums/72157666762658640
