Overview
- The festival was observed Wednesday, April 15, marking the start of Bengali year 1433 following Tuesday’s solar transition known as Mesha Sankranti.
- In Bangladesh, the newly elected government restored Dhaka University’s New Year procession to “Boishakhi Shobhajatra” after last year’s interim government renamed it “Anondo Shobhajatra.”
- Sheikh Hasina sent New Year greetings and warned that anti‑liberation forces are working to dilute the celebration, pointing to attempts to rebrand the signature procession.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted greetings on X on Wednesday for Poila Boishakh, Rongali Bihu and Vishu, and Assam’s governor, chief minister and opposition leaders also issued messages of goodwill.
- Dhaka’s programs included Chhayanaut’s dawn concert at Ramna Batamul, gatherings at Rabindra Sarobar and the UNESCO‑listed parade known for large masks and floats crafted by Dhaka University’s fine arts faculty.