Pahela Baishakh procession ends peacefully

The Baishakhi Shobhajatra for the Bengali year 1433 ended peacefully in a festive atmosphere. The procession formally began at 9:00 am on Tuesday, April 14, from the Faculty of Fine Arts premises of Dhaka University with the rendition of the national anthem.

The procession started from the Faculty of Fine Arts and concluded after passing through Shahbagh, Doel Chattar and Begum Rokeya Hall area before returning to the faculty premises.

Those who took part included university Vice-Chancellor Professor A B M Obaidul Islam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sayema Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr Abdus Salam, Bangladesh Open University Vice-Chancellor Siddiqur Rahman Khan, National University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Lutfor Rahman, along with deans, teachers, students, diplomatic representatives from various countries and citizens.

To take part in this UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage, people from all walks of life had been gathering at the Fine Arts area since morning. Many were seen dressed in traditional red and white attire to join the procession.

The procession was led by 10 mounted police horses from the metropolitan police. Behind them, a group of approximately 200 students carrying the national flag took part.

Following them, provosts of various university halls, departmental chairmen, teachers, members of the Nationalist Cultural Council, Kobiata Parishad and university officials participated in the procession with the main banner.

Attractions of the procession included five large motifs – a rooster, a violin, a dove of peace, an elephant and a horse. Additionally, musical performances by about 40 artistes and a scroll painting approximately 150 feet long added special dimension to the procession. Representatives of 10 different ethnic groups from the country also took part, highlighting the event as a symbol of multicultural unity.