Staff Reporter: The Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York set a new record by celebrating ‘Ashadhe New Year’. Bengali New Year was celebrated at Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Permanent Mission on Monday, July 2 (18 Ashad, 1431). As the day is celebrated almost 3 months after the beginning of Bengali New Year, many questions have arisen. It can be said that the ceremony was done almost secretly. Because none of the regular guests, media workers, social and political personalities of the expatriate Bangladeshi community of the permanent mission were invited to the said Bengali New Year celebration. There are many murmurs among expatriates about this.
According to the press release of the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations, last Monday (July 2) the Bangla New Year was celebrated in a festive atmosphere with the participation of diplomats of various countries assigned to the United Nations and their spouses. On the occasion of this joyous event organized at Bangabandhu Auditorium at the Mission, the auditorium was decorated with various elements of contemporary Bengali culture. Dhak-dhol-ektara, sailing boat, dala-kula, palm leaf fan, nakshi kantha, clay dolls, clay dishes, glass bangles, alpana and colorful banners-festoons-balloons made the Bangabandhu auditorium colorful.
Permanent representatives, consul generals, senior diplomats, UN officials and their spouses of the permanent missions of various countries assigned to the United Nations participated in this annual event. Ms. Ruby Parveen, wife of Mohammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh Mission to the United Nations, gave a welcome speech on the occasion. In her speech, she highlighted the history, tradition and Mangal Sobhayatra of Bengali New Year before the foreign guests. During this, she highlighted the inclusive social system and non-communal spirit of Bengal where people of all religions, castes and tribes live in harmony and harmony. She mentioned that this spirit and harmony is one of the inspirations of the great liberation war led by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
A mesmerizing cultural performance consisting of dance, song and cover was the main attraction of the event. Artists of Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts in New York and family members of Permanent Mission officers participated in various cultural programs. At the end of the cultural program, the guests were treated to various traditional Bengali dishes including pitha-puli, nadu, muri-murki, saj-batasa, pies, chatpati, fuchka, sweets.
Almost 3 months after the beginning of Bengali New Year, many questions have arisen surrounding the celebration of this day almost secretly. Regular guests of the permanent mission expatriate Bangladeshi community, media workers, social and political figures were not invited to the event, many expressed their anger.
A political leader on the condition of anonymity said that the Permanent Mission has been allocated a large amount of money to celebrate the Bengali New Year. Bangladesh Permanent Mission celebrated the day after almost 3 months to cheat the allocated money. They will send bills to the ministry showing double the cost against the actual cost. Besides, there is no other reason.
He pointed out that there is no other mission or embassy in the world that celebrates the day almost 3 months after the beginning of Bengali New Year. This is the first case. That’s why their names need to be sent to the Guinness Book.
What is the reason for celebrating Pahela Baisakh or New Year in Ashad month? No one from the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York gave any reply when asked by e-mail and text message.
BP/SM
