On April 14, 2026, while Bangladesh celebrated Pahela Baishakh with colorful festivities, the char regions of Kurigram remained untouched by the joy. In areas such as Rajibpur, Roumari, Chilmari, and Ulipur, residents continued their daily struggles, unaware or unable to participate in the traditional celebrations. For many, extreme poverty and the constant battle against nature have made the festival a distant luxury.

Locals described how most families live hand to mouth, unable to afford new clothes, festive meals, or visits to fairs. Frequent floods and river erosion have left nearly 400 chars deprived of basic needs, while poor communication infrastructure prevents participation in city events. Despite their hardships, residents still settle debts through traditional hal khata practices to maintain credit with local lenders.

Teachers and cultural activists in Kurigram expressed concern over the exclusion of char communities from national celebrations. They urged government and administrative initiatives to ensure that all citizens, regardless of location or wealth, can share in the cultural spirit of Pahela Baishakh.

Chattogram city celebrated Pahela Baishakh and the Bengali New Year 1433 on April 14, 2026, with vibrant festivities across major cultural and public spaces. From early morning, people of all ages joined events at CRB Shirishtala, DC Hill, Gymnasium Field, Polo Ground, and local colleges, wearing traditional red-and-white attire and enjoying music, dance, and fairs.

At CRB Shirishtala, the Sammilito Pahela Baishakh Udjapan Parishad organized a colorful program featuring Rabindra, Nazrul, and folk songs. DC Hill hosted recitations and performances by cultural groups, while the district administration decorated a 1.5-kilometer stretch with alpana art. The University of Chittagong’s Fine Arts Institute held its Mongol Shobhajatra and cultural fair on the main campus, marking a shift from previous city-based parades.

The Chittagong Press Club arranged traditional food and performances, and local markets observed the hal khata ritual. The Chattogram Metropolitan Police strengthened security across key points to ensure safe celebrations as residents welcomed the new year with joy and optimism.

Chattogram’s iconic DC Hill, long regarded as a symbol of the city’s cultural and historical identity, is witnessing renewed optimism as new Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia initiates efforts to restore its heritage. On Pahela Baishakh, the hill once again drew attention as a potential hub for cultural revival through rapid renovation, beautification, and reintroduction of public events.

The site carries deep historical significance, notably linked to poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 1926 visit, which inspired the creation of Nazrul Square in 2004. Over time, neglect and restrictions eroded much of its cultural infrastructure. Since 2017, most events except Pahela Baishakh celebrations were banned due to noise and privacy concerns, leading to public disappointment and protests from cultural groups.

With the new restoration drive, residents are hopeful that DC Hill will regain its role as an open cultural gathering place, preserving both the city’s heritage and its communal spirit.

The traditional Bangla New Year celebration organized by Chhayanaut began at Ramna Batamul in Dhaka on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. The event started just after sunrise with a choral performance of a song welcoming the new dawn. From early morning, people gathered in front of the banyan tree to join the festivities, which symbolize the triumph of good over evil and the hope for a prosperous year ahead.

According to Chhayanaut authorities, this year’s morning program features a diverse collection of musical performances. The lineup includes eight choral songs, fourteen solo songs, and two poetry recitations, totaling twenty-two performances. The main event will conclude with the national anthem.

The celebration continues a long-standing cultural tradition that marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar year, drawing large crowds to Ramna Batamul each year.

An article by Dr. Ahmad Anisur Rahman, published on April 14, 2026, discusses the cultural and historical roots of Pohela Boishakh, the Bangla New Year. The author emphasizes that like all cultural elements, the celebration’s value depends on its proper use and warns against distortions caused by foreign or colonial influences. He argues that national culture must serve the nation’s life and progress, not degenerate into irrelevant or harmful practices.

The essay traces the origin of the Bangla calendar, explaining that it was introduced around 1556 CE as a solar adaptation of the Islamic Hijri lunar calendar, known as the ‘Fasli’ year, to align with Bengal’s agricultural cycles. It contrasts this with the much older Indian Vikrami calendar, clarifying that the Bangla calendar is distinct and rooted in Bengal’s own socio-religious and economic context. The article also outlines the historical background of Bengal’s Muslim governance and its connection to the broader Islamic world through the Caliphate system.

The author concludes that preserving the authentic spirit of Pohela Boishakh requires awareness of its historical and cultural foundations to prevent misuse or cultural erosion.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organized a Baishakhi procession in Dhaka on Tuesday morning under the banner of the 'Deshiya Sangskritik Sangshad'. The procession began in front of the National Press Club and concluded at Ramna Park. Participants included Jamaat leaders, activists, and people from various professions across the capital. They carried traditional rural items such as fishing nets, winnowing trays, and other cultural symbols.

Throughout the procession, artists performed patriotic and folk songs including jari, sari, and bhatiali, creating a festive atmosphere. Before the march began, speakers at a brief gathering emphasized that blind imitation of foreign and Western cultures is harmful to the nation. They urged the government to take effective steps to restore the true Bengali spirit and lost traditions.

The event reflected Jamaat-e-Islami’s effort to align itself with national cultural celebrations while promoting the preservation of indigenous heritage.

The traditional Baishakhi procession marking Bangla New Year 1433 began on Tuesday morning from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University. The event, themed “Harmony of the New Year, Revival of Democracy,” drew spontaneous participation from teachers, students, and people from all walks of life. The day’s festivities started at dawn at Ramna Batamul with a cultural program featuring 22 songs, concluding with the national anthem before preparations for the procession began.

The procession started from the north gate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, passing Shahbagh, Raju Sculpture, Doel Chattar, and Bangla Academy before returning to the campus. Five main motifs—rooster, elephant, dove, dotara, and horse—symbolized renewal, strength, peace, cultural roots, and rural simplicity. Participants voiced calls for cultural unity and protested attacks on Baul artists, turning the event into a vibrant celebration.

Authorities implemented strict security measures across the campus, including police, RAB, DB, and SWAT presence, identity checks, and CCTV monitoring to ensure safety during the festivities.

A five-day multipurpose jute product fair has been organized in Old Dhaka under the patronage of the district administration to mark Pahela Baishakh. The fair, featuring 26 stalls, is being held at the premises of the Dhaka District Commissioner’s Office and will run daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., concluding on Thursday. Dhaka District Commissioner Md. Rezaul Karim inaugurated the event on Sunday.

Following the inauguration, Commissioner Karim invited visitors to explore the creativity of local jute artisans, emphasizing that jute is a part of Bangladesh’s heritage and can be used to produce a wide variety of beautiful products. He urged support for jute-based entrepreneurs to help expand the market both domestically and internationally.

Addressing residents of Old Dhaka, the commissioner said the fair aims to showcase the area’s cultural heritage despite limited open spaces. He added that a colorful rally will be held on Pahela Baishakh to highlight Old Dhaka’s traditions and encourage community participation in the festivities.

A gathering of parents and community members was held in Paris to promote Islamic education and awareness among the Bangladeshi diaspora in France. The event took place on Saturday at the second campus of the Multi Cultural (MC) Institute in the Overvilliers area, with the institute’s president and founding principal, Professor Badrul Bin Harun, presiding over the session.

Speakers at the meeting highlighted the MC Institute’s mission to foster moral and humanitarian values among expatriate children. Prominent community figures, educators, social workers, and professionals attended, emphasizing the importance of ethical education for the younger generation. Participants also expressed support for expanding the institute’s activities and called for collective cooperation to strengthen its programs.

During a fundraising segment, attendees pledged financial assistance for the institute’s development. The event concluded in a cordial atmosphere, with organizers expressing gratitude to guests and voicing optimism about conducting larger-scale initiatives in the future.

Dhaka University celebrated the Biju-Baisu-Sangrai-Bishu-Changkran-Sangkrain-Bihu-Baisu festival, the main social festival of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with colorful events on Sunday. Organized by the university’s Jum Literature and Cultural Council under the theme “Let our rights be enriched in the weave of festivals,” the program included floral tributes, a vibrant rally, and the serving of traditional ‘pajon’. The event was inaugurated by Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Saima Haque Bidisha and chaired by the organization’s joint general secretary, Shantimoy Chakma.

Special guests included Jagannath Hall Provost Debashish Pal, Dhaka University Hill Alumni Association General Secretary Kriti Nishan Chakma, and Jagannath Hall Students’ Union General Secretary Sudipta Pramanik. In her speech, Professor Bidisha said the presence of indigenous students from hills and plains enriches the university’s diversity and beauty, and she assured consideration of a holiday for the festival in the future. Other speakers also expressed support for granting holidays during the festival period.

Students from Dhaka University and other institutions in the capital, along with their families, participated enthusiastically, making the daylong celebration joyful and inclusive.

The Faculty of Fine Arts at Dhaka University has completed preparations to welcome the Bengali New Year with its traditional Pahela Baishakh procession, scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. on April 14. The event, themed “Harmony of the New Year, Revival of Democracy,” will feature vibrant motifs and cultural displays created by teachers and students working day and night. The procession will start from the faculty’s north gate, move through Shahbagh, TSC, and Doel Chattar, and return to the campus.

The faculty grounds are already festive, with students painting clay pots, making masks, and selling artworks to fund the event. This year’s procession will highlight five main motifs—rooster, dotara, wooden elephant, dove, and clay horse—symbolizing strength, creativity, peace, pride, and dynamism. Dean Professor Dr. Md. Azharul Islam Sheikh said the initiative aims to revive and preserve traditional roots while conveying contemporary social and cultural messages.

Strict security measures have been arranged, including CCTV, archways, and restricted entry points. Participants must carry identification, and certain items such as masks, bags, and fireworks are prohibited. Cultural programs will also be held on April 13, 15, and 16 as part of the celebrations.

The Bishu festival of the Tonchongya community began in Kaptai, Rangamati, with a colorful rally, flower floating on the Sangu River, and a discussion meeting on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The event was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Tonchongya Welfare Association Kaptai Regional Committee and the Devatachhari Raissyabili region. The rally started from Kaptai Upazila Karnaphuli Stadium at 9:30 a.m. and concluded at the Kaptai Upazila headquarters, with men and women participating through music, dance, and traditional attire.

Before the rally, community members dressed in new clothes and floated flowers on the Karnaphuli River to mark the beginning of the day. A discussion meeting followed at the Kaptai Upazila Officers’ Club premises, presided over by Chiranjit Tonchongya, Chairman of Wagga Union Parishad, and conducted by Rupamoy Tonchongya. Kaptai Upazila Executive Officer Md. Ruhul Amin attended as chief guest, highlighting the participation of all communities and the cultural significance of the event. Other speakers included local officials and community leaders.

The celebration reflected the Tonchongya community’s cultural unity and aspiration to promote their traditional Bishu festival to a wider audience.

Two Boishakhi fairs in Patiya, Chattogram, have continued past midnight despite government restrictions on electricity use due to a nationwide energy crisis. The government has shortened office hours and ordered all shops and businesses to close by 7 p.m. to conserve power. However, the fairs at Patiya Adarsha High School field and Ruku Garden Community Center have been brightly illuminated and active until late night, defying the directive.

The fairs began on April 10 and are scheduled to run daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until April 20, according to organizers. Yet, reports indicate activities continued until 10 p.m. or later. Local residents and civic representatives have criticized the extended lighting and festivities, calling them inappropriate during a period of power shortages. They argue that such events increase pressure on the electricity supply when the government is emphasizing conservation.

Organizers have defended the fairs as cultural celebrations for the local community. Some admitted to exceeding permitted hours on the first day, citing misunderstanding of the government order, and claimed to have adjusted operations afterward.

Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur is hosting the four-day 'Shaheed Abu Sayeed Book Fair 2026' from April 12 to April 15. The event, announced through a university notice signed by Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Md. Ferdous Rahman, will take place at the university’s Independence Memorial Ground. Various publishing houses will participate, and the fair will remain open to all visitors.

Alongside the book fair, the university administration has arranged several programs to celebrate Chaitra Sankranti and the Bengali New Year 1433. A kite-flying competition will be held on April 13 at 4 p.m. at the football field, followed by a festive procession on April 14 at 9:15 a.m. from the south gate of the administrative building. A Baishakhi fair will take place in front of the academic buildings, and a cultural program will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the media square.

The book fair will be inaugurated at 3 p.m. by the father of Shaheed Abu Sayeed. Due to the current fuel shortage, the fair will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with cultural events each afternoon.

The Manipuri Meitei community’s religious festival ‘Lai Haraoba’ concluded on Friday evening at the Manipuri Cultural Complex in Tetigaon, Adampur, Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar. The three-day celebration began on Wednesday and ended with vibrant performances and rituals reflecting the community’s deep spiritual traditions. According to Manipuri belief, the term ‘Lai Haraoba’ literally means ‘the merrymaking of the gods’ and is regarded as the origin of Manipuri dance.

The festival’s central theme revolved around ancient myths of creation, performed through ritual dances led by traditional priests and priestesses known as Maiba and Maibi. The event began with the invocation of deities from water bodies, followed by performances depicting stages of human life from settlement to death. Organizers described the festival as one of the most significant celebrations of the Manipuri people, symbolizing creation, divinity, cosmology, and harmony through music, chants, and distinctive dance forms such as Maibi Jagoi.

The festival reaffirmed the community’s cultural identity and religious heritage, emphasizing continuity of traditional practices within Bangladesh’s Manipuri population.