By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Hague, 14th April 2018 Bangladesh missions in the Netherlands has celebrated the Pahela Boishakh, the first day of Bengali solar calendar, with much enthusiasm and cultural activities.
Pohela Boishakh symbolizes universality and cultural unity. The day has deep rooted sentiments for well being of the hard working people like farmers and traders. Pohela Boishakh, new year is celebrated in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and in the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand and Orissa.
Bangladesh House served as the venue. The Embassy has been hosting back-to-back activities in February, March and April 2018, these were Mother Language Day, National Day, Shades of Passion, Art Exhibition and now Pahela Boishakh.
Bangladesh House was a kaleidoscope of dazzling colors, flowers, banners and festoons. Pohela Boishakh is quintessential of carnival on a Caribbean island. It has been a pleasure observing the Bengali ladies outfitted in their colorful sari.
PohelaBoishakh celebrations bring a sense of freshness, vibrancy and excitement mixed with culture. and food, favored item on the menu is Hilsha fish.
Unfortunately, hilsha is threatened with extinction. On Poila Boishakh, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina says she won’t have hilsa. Sheikh Hasina is on a mission to save the famous hilsa “I will eat pantabhat and shutkibhorta instead, not ilish, on Poila Boishakh”
The day-long cultural activity on the lawns of Bangladesh House started with a cordial welcome speech by H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador of Bangladesh in the Netherlands, followed by music, dance and (Boishakhi) songs.
Bangladeshi children and Embassy officials also performed dances, solo and chorus folk songs.As has been the case in previous years Dr. Dilruba Nasrin, spouse of ambassador Belal, graced the occasion with her songs.
The program further included stalls operated bymembers of the diaspora presenting their authentic Bangladeshi wares. The Poila Boishakh celebration 2018 attracted some 450 guests including the Ambassadors of South-Africa, India, Yemen to mention a few. Also present were representatives of the Dutch government, the municipality of The Hague, friends of Bangladesh, the diaspora and the media.
