Bandar Seri Begawan, 24 July 2023

Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei Darussalam organized a colourful day-long program at the chancery premises to celebrate the 'Bangla New Year 1430' or 'Pahela Baishakh' on 23 July 2023. Mr. Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal Bin Pengiran Haji Mohmud, Permanent Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour at the invitation of the Bangladesh High Commissioner Mrs Nahida Rahman Shumona. Among other invited guests and participants were Bangladeshi community members, members of the diplomatic core, civil society members, journalists, singers etc. Bangladeshi businessmen and restaurant owners displayed their food items and other products arranged in their respective stalls. The program started with ‘Mangal Shovajatra’, the signature procession to mark ‘Bangla New Year’. In the welcoming speech the Bangladesh High Commissioner thanked everyone for joining ‘Mangal Shovajatra’ which has been declared as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO since 2016. The Guest of Honour visited the stalls and exchanged greetings with the representatives who were happy and proud to display their product variety to him and to other visitors. Traditional Bangladeshi food, such as panta (rice-based dish prepared by soaking rice in water overnight), Ilish fish (Hilsa ilisa), cake (Patishapta, Chitoi etc.), vegetables of different variety and other Bangladeshi dishes were displayed in the Bangladeshi stalls and served to the Guest of Honour who appreciated the delicacy of the cooking. The display of local Bruneian traditional food also served to invite the heightened attention of the visitors. The Guest of Honour thanked the Bangladesh High Commissioner for the excellent arrangement of the program. The day-long program was fragmented into several interesting parts – ‘musical chair’, ‘pillow passing’, ‘puncturing balloons’, ‘spoon run’, ‘hari vanga’ etc. The children contributed by their cheerful participation in ‘Jamon Khushi Tamon Shajo (decorate as you like)’, and ‘biscuit run’. The highlight of the event was a ‘fashion show’ participated by people from different nationalities. As part of the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh and century-long practice of ‘Bangla New Year Celebration’, cultural performances were staged to entertain the audience. Thanks to the fruity melodious voice of the singers from the Bangladeshi community as well as from Brunei, the audiences were at the height of their satisfaction and joyfulness. The winners of all the competitions were awarded by giving token prizes. The Bangladesh High Commissioner also appreciated the talent and contribution of volunteers from the Bangladesh community by recognizing them with certificates. She thanked everybody for their active participation and requested them to forget all differences to make a better society capable of addressing any challenge in a collective way without leaving anyone behind.