The government has declared a public holiday on April 13 for the Chittagong Hill Tracts—Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban—in celebration of Chaitra Sankranti. Residents will enjoy a four-day holiday in total, including the preceding Friday and Saturday (weekend) and April 14 (Pahela Baishakh). All scheduled banks in these three districts will remain closed on April 13, according to a notice from Bangladesh Bank.

The government will ensure that the Bengali New Year and Chaitra Sankranti festivities are celebrated with equal enthusiasm in both the hill tracts and the plains, according to the Cultural Adviser. Key highlights include:
• April 4–19: Local New Year festivals and fairs across indigenous communities including Biju, Bisu, Sangrai, Bihu, Baha, and Wangala.
• April 12: Twelve regional Sadhumela fairs across the country, and the Fagua festival with tea workers in Sreemangal.
• April 13–14: Two-day cultural event by Nabopran Andolon at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
• April 13 (3 PM): Band show at Suhrawardy Udyan, Dhaka.
• April 14 (6:15 AM): Traditional New Year event by Chhayanaut at Ramna Batamul.
• April 14 (6 AM): Cultural performances at Rabindra Sarobar by Surer Dhara with diverse ethnic groups.
• April 14 (9 AM): Grand parade by Dhaka University involving 28 ethnic communities.
• April 14 (Evening): Drone show and cultural program at the National Parliament’s South Plaza featuring a Chinese technical team and local bands.

The Directorate of Madrasa Education has instructed all madrasas in the country to organize two-day events in celebration of Chaitra Sankranti and the Bengali New Year.

The circular, signed by Deputy Director Md. Arifur Rahman Mojumdar, also includes traditional new year celebrations of indigenous communities such as the Chakma and Marma. The directive applies to principals of both government and private madrasas across the country.

A 25-member South Korean delegation visited the historic Panam City in Sonargaon, Narayanganj. The district commissioner guided them through the city’s archaeological and architectural highlights and briefed them on government preservation efforts.

Impressed by the aesthetics and history, the head of the Korean delegation described Panam City as “a remarkable testament to human civilization.”

After visiting the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC), Adviser Mahfuz Alam said the government is working to transform BFDC into a profitable entity. He emphasized that all filmmaking activities—from shooting to editing—should be facilitated within BFDC. With its central location in Dhaka, the corporation has the potential to become a hub for the film industry, he added, urging stakeholders to make the most of available opportunities.

Following controversy over alleged obscene dancing and drug use in the stage play “Apon Dulaal” in Kapasia, Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki clarified that the news reports are misleading. He attributed the play’s temporary halt to internal disputes between local organizers.

Farooki urged journalists to report facts responsibly and avoid sensationalism that could harm cultural development. “The reports claimed the stage was dismantled, but organizers said it was never even built at that point,” he wrote on Facebook, appealing for national unity and support for the arts.

Adviser Ali Imam Majumder has assured that the government has sufficient stockpiles of food grains, and there is no cause for concern regarding food security. Addressing the losses incurred during the recent floods, he stated that the government is importing food grains to compensate. A bumper Boro harvest is expected this season across the country, including the Haor regions. The government is actively working to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their produce. “Farmers and agricultural laborers are the frontline soldiers of our development. If they thrive, the country will prosper,” he added. The government is also addressing irrigation issues in Haor areas, the illegal drying of canals and wetlands under the pretext of fishing, fertilizer and seed availability, and crop preservation. He further promised dredging of rivers and canals, highlighting Kishoreganj’s diverse agricultural landscape.

As the crescent moon signaled the arrival of Eid-ul-Fitr, Shilpakala Academy organized a grand celebration on Chand Raat (Moon Night). The event featured musical performances, including the iconic song ‘O Mon Romzaner Oi Rozar Sheshe Elo Khushir Eid’ by Kazi Nazrul Islam. Ahmed Noor Ameri and his team performed Qawwali and Maizbhandari music. The event was attended by Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooqi.

Vandals set fire to a grove of 700 trees in Baidergaon, Munshiganj, on Wednesday night, destroying 300 mango trees, 200 lemon trees, and over 100 other trees.

A local farmer suspects an act of personal vengeance behind the arson attack. Residents believe the perpetrators used petrol or kerosene to ignite the fire. Caretaker Abdur Sattar learned about the incident early Thursday morning after receiving a call from a neighbor.

The government has announced April 13 as a public holiday in the hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti. In other districts, members of communities observing the festival will be entitled to an optional holiday. During the holiday, all government, semi-government, autonomous, and private offices in these three districts will remain closed, except for essential services. The Bangladesh Bank and the Supreme Court will issue necessary directives regarding banking and court activities on this day.

To enhance the joy of Eid, Advisor Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan announced various government initiatives, including a grand Eid procession reminiscent of the Sultanate era. He recently shared an update, stating:

"Preparations for the Eid procession are in full swing. Despite time constraints, the Local Government Division, the Ministry of Culture, and Dhaka North City Corporation are working tirelessly day and night."

He added, "The procession will feature an elephant—will you be joining?"

Renowned folk artist and Ekushey Padak recipient Sushama Das has passed away at the age of 95. She breathed her last at her Sylhet residence on Wednesday afternoon after suffering from age-related illnesses. Her death has cast a shadow over Sylhet’s cultural community. Later that evening, her body was brought to the Sylhet Central Shaheed Minar for public tribute. Sushama Das had performed alongside legendary Baul artists such as Shah Abdul Karim, Durbin Shah, Ali Hossain Sarkar, and Kamal Pasha. Honored with the Ekushey Padak in 2017 for her contributions to folk music, she had also received numerous other accolades.

In response to the ongoing heatwave, residents of Kishoreganj organized a special Istisqa prayer seeking rainfall. The congregation, attended by people from various walks of life, included religious leaders and community elders. Following the prayer, a special sermon and nationwide supplication were offered for rain. Notable attendees included retired teacher Maulana Qari Abdul Khaleq, Anwar Hossain, secretary of Chiknirchar Central Mosque, and former UP member Selim Mia.

The annual Mangal Shobhajatra on Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) will include a 20-foot sculpture of Abu Sayeed, a martyr of the July mass uprising.

This year’s theme is “Unity in the New Year, End of Fascism.” The parade will feature representations from various ethnic communities, along with traditional masks of kings, queens, tigers, owls, birds, and flowers.

Despite discussions about renaming the Mangal Shobhajatra, no final decision has been made yet.

There will be no change to the name of the traditional ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ procession, nor has there been any discussion about renaming it, confirmed advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki. Earlier, he had stated that a name change could be considered if there was a unanimous decision. He emphasized that this year’s event is inclusive of all ethnic communities, including Bengalis, Chakmas, Marmas, and Garos, and that care must be taken not to choose a name that excludes any group. While the name remains unchanged, this year’s Bengali New Year celebrations will introduce new elements, including a two-day festival under the theme: “Unity in the New Year to End Fascism.” Private schools will also participate in the procession for the first time.