Chatmohar, Pabna, (V7N) – In a unique gesture to mark the Bengali New Year (Pohela Boishakh), leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in Chatmohar, Pabna, took to the streets today to serve traditional refreshments to the general public.

"BNP leaders and activists went around Chatmohar in Pabna to serve drinks to the common people on the occasion of the New Year," reported a Pabna Correspondent.

The Chatmohar Municipal BNP organized this exceptional event on Tuesday, April 14th, as part of their celebration of the Bengali New Year.

"Chatmohar Municipal BNP organized such an exceptional event on Tuesday (April 14) to celebrate the Bengali New Year," the report confirmed.

The day began with the inauguration of a feeding program for children at the bottala (a traditional gathering spot under a banyan tree) on the east side of the Chatmohar Baluchar playground.

"This morning, the inauguration of the feeding of the children was held at the bottala on the east side of the Chatmohar Baluchar playground," the correspondent noted.

Key figures from the Chatmohar Municipality BNP, including President Asaduzzaman Arshed and General Secretary Touhidul Islam Taijul, along with other leaders and activists, were present at the inauguration.

"Chatmohar Municipality BNP President Asaduzzaman Arshed, General Secretary Touhidul Islam Taijul and other leaders and activists were present at the time," the report detailed.

Following the children's feeding program, the BNP activists proceeded to various locations within the municipality headquarters, including the Chatmohar Upazila Parishad, where they served 'panta' (fermented rice water) to the common people. The traditional refreshment was accompanied by mashed potatoes, onions, and green chilies.

"Later, they went from there to various points in the municipality headquarters, including the Chatmohar Upazila Parishad, and served the common people with panta. The panta was accompanied by mashed potatoes, onions, and green chilies," the correspondent added.

Touhidul Islam Taijul, the General Secretary of Chatmohar Municipality BNP, explained the rationale behind this initiative, stating that while many organizations arrange 'Panta Hilsa' (fermented rice with hilsa fish) on New Year's Day, it is often inaccessible to the common people. Their effort aimed to highlight the traditional rural Bengali way of celebrating Pohela Boishakh by offering the simple yet culturally significant 'panta' with onion and green chilies, ensuring that everyone could partake in the New Year's spirit.

"In this regard, Chatmohar Municipality BNP General Secretary Touhidul Islam Taijul said, 'Bangla New Year is the festival of our lives... We have tried to highlight the event by thinking about the common people of the village, just as they traditionally eat Panta onion and green chilies. So that everyone can eat it,'" Taijul stated.

Asaduzzaman Arshed, the President of Chatmohar Municipality BNP, emphasized the deep connection between the Bengali New Year and 'panta', considering it an integral part of their rural Bengali tradition. He explained that their aim was to share this tradition with everyone, moving beyond a limited, self-centered celebration to involve the wider community.

"Chatmohar Municipality BNP President Asaduzzaman Arshed said, 'Bangla New Year and Panta have merged with each other. Which is also a part of our rural Bengali tradition. We have tried to spread that tradition among everyone. We did not think of celebrating Pohela Baishakh by being limited to one place and eating Panta ourselves. We have tried to involve the common people as well,'" Arshed elaborated.

Representatives of the local civil society also lauded this initiative. Rakibur Rahman Tukun, the editor of the daily Chalanbil, described the arrangement of serving 'panta' as undoubtedly exceptional and commendable, especially considering that many common people might miss out on this traditional New Year's food due to their busy schedules. He hoped that such gestures would allow the spirit of the Bengali New Year to touch everyone's hearts.

"Representatives of the local civil society also praised such an arrangement. Rakibur Rahman Tukun, editor of the daily Chalanbil, said, 'Such an arrangement of feeding the common people with water is undoubtedly exceptional and commendable... Let the Bengali New Year touch everyone's hearts through such an arrangement,'" Tukun remarked.

END/SRP/RH/