The message came in a digital programme celebrating the new year which aired on various television channels on Tuesday. The programme, ‘Ujjiboni Surobani’, included songs sung in the Pahela Baishakh celebrations last year and an epilogue by Chhayanaut Chairperson Sanjida Khatun. People have instead been asked to celebrate the new year at home with their families this time as the coronavirus outbreak intensified. In light of the present situation, Chhayanaut produced a digital programme marking Pahela Baishakh instead of their traditional programme at Ramna Batamul, an intrinsic part of the Bengali New Year celebrations in the country. Chhayanaut has been greeting the new year with traditional songs and poetry recitations at the historic Ramna Batamul almost every year since its inception in 1967, despite threats and attacks from extremists.

Source: bd News24 April 14, 2020 08:15 UTC