Spirited celebrations

In the capital, they took to the streets, colorfully attired and attuned to the vibrant spirit of Pahela Baishakh, and enjoyed every bit of the festivity. They were blissfully oblivious of the mundane chores, at least for a day. It effectively broke the monotony.

Celebrations were spontaneous. Nobody was lagging behind, not even the expatriates living far away from the country. Television channels presented a wide range of programmes, and outside the capital there were the same rallies and concerts that drew a huge audience, despite the heat and humidity. They were elated to leave behind the stale memories of the year that was, as Tagore had so poignantly described in his immortal song on the Bengali New Year.

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Pahela Baishakh celebrations are not new, but what has been added to them in the recent years is mass participation. The message here is that people cannot be cut off from their cultural moorings, and any attempt to do so would only invite a more vigorous and determined attempt to uphold cultural identity, as we have witnessed on this occasion. It is time the detractors of our cultural heritage -- some of them being insane enough to go for barbaric violence against it -- learned to live with what has been handed down to us by generations of Bengalees.

Every nation needs such special occasions that can bring its people together in a spirit of bonhomie, friendship and refreshing renewal.