Bangladesh marks Bengali New Year under a new lockdown
For a second time in a row, Pahela Baishakh was celebrated without outdoor activities. The latest surge in the pandemic is putting a strain on hospitals. On the day that symbolises harmony in the country, all religions prayed for the end to the pandemic.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Bangladesh celebrated Pahela Baishakh yesterday, the first day of 1428 in the Bengali calendar. Due to the pandemic, the usual colourful outdoor parades and celebrations were not held.
Pahela Baishakh is celebrated in Bangladesh as well as some Indian states, most notably West Bengal (Paschim Banga), Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand and Odisha (Orissa).
During his reign (1556-1605), Mughal Emperor Akbar introduced the calendar to facilitate tax collection. Even today, businesses across Bangladesh, especially in the countryside, call in dues from their customers and open new accounts.
In the last two years, outdoor celebrations have been cancelled due to the pandemic. This year the event coincided with the start of a week of hard lockdown meant to stop the latest surge of infections.
On Pahela Baishakh last year, 891 people contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus with 39 deaths. This year, some 7,000 cases are reported per day with 70 deaths. As of yesterday, Bangladesh had 697,985 cases with 9,891 deaths since the pandemic began.
Due to the increase in the number of patients, hospitals are under heavy pressure. Many ick people have no place and the situation in intensive care is critical. In addition, having lost their job, the poor have had to endure heavy economic consequences because of COVID-19.
“We have to remember that the lives of the people come first. If (we) survive, we’ll be able to rearrange everything,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said during a New Year televised address to the country. “There’s no need to be worried,” she added, “the government is always beside you. I have taken steps for the poor and lower-income people after the second wave hit the country.”
To this end, rich people and aid agencies are encouraged to help the needy with food and money during the pandemic.
The Bengali New Year is a social event that embodies the country’s secular nature. Rich in culture, tradition and heritage, it brings together people of every caste, creed and class as a symbol of harmony and secularism in Bangladesh.
This year, the faithful of all religions prayed on Pahela Baishakh for an end to the pandemic in the country and throughout the world.
It is precisely because of this spirit that radical Islamist groups are against Bengali New Year celebrations, claiming that it is a Hindu festival.
In 2001, during Pahela Baishakh celebrations in Dhaka’s Ramna Batamul district, the Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami group carried out a terrorist attack in which 10 people died.
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15/04/2019 13:24
02/01/2023 13:29
