English schools joining Baishakh celebration

English medium schools in Dhaka city are set to celebrate the first day of Bangla new year, Pahela Baishakh, by holding a variety of programmes.

School authorities say they want to instil indigenous culture in their pupils by celebrating the Bangla new year.

Maple Leaf International School has chalked out a four-day Baishakh programme, the school authorities told Prothom Alo.

Both boys and girls from kindergarten to 0 and A levels section have been asked to join programmes for each of their groups on 18, 19, 21 and 28 April.

The programmes include poetry recitation, Baishakhi songs, dance, puthipath (recitation of folk verses) and display of traditional items and artefacts.

This year, the students would take part in a special performance of singing Gambhira song (a kind of folk song popular in Chapainawabganj).

“The students enjoy celebration as it gives them the opportunity to show their Bengali identity,” Ali Karam Reza, principal of the school, told Prothom Alo.

“The students including the girls of our school participate in the programme with a lot of interest,” he added.

Oxford International School held its Baishakh celebration programme on 12 April (Thursday). Through this, it usually celebrates annual ‘cultural talent hunt’ on the day. A Baishakhi mela (fair) was also a part of it.

Sakira Kadir, admission officer of the school, said, Baishakh is the biggest celebration organised by the school. The students brought out a colourful rally.

European Standard School’s vice principal Shamima Afroz said the school would organise a ‘colourful programme’ to celebrate Pahela Baishakh on 19 April.

“We put emphasis on Baishakh celebration to inspire our students to know more about Bangla culture,” she said.

Sunnydale School would celebrate Pahela Baishakh on 15 April, said the school’s senior executive officer, Yasmeen Ahmed.

Students would prepare different foods and handicraft items and display their products in the stalls at the school premises, she added.

Mastermind School organised a grand Baishakh celebration in Bangabandhu International Conference Centre on 9 April.

Sharmin Afroz, administrative officer of the school, told Prothom Alo that the students joined programmes such as choreography, Bengali folk and mystic songs, and poetry recitation.

This year, guardians set up 24 stalls in Bishakh fair. Students enjoyed Nagardola ride (a traditional amusement ride) outside the conference hall, she added.