DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that she won’t have Hilsha fish on the menu during celebration of the Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year.

Describing Pahela Baishakh celebrations as part of the country's tradition and culture, the PM also said that there is no connection between the celebrations of Bangla New Year and the Hilsha fish.

The premier said these while addressing the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected chairman of Narshingdi Zilla Parishad at her official residence-- Ganabhaban in the city on Wednesday (April 12).

The Prime Minister administered the oath to the newly elected Zila Parishad chairman Abdul Matin Bhuiyan.

Press secretary of the Prime Minister Ihsanul Karim briefed media after the function.

Sheikh Hasina advised the people of the country not to eat Hilsa fish in Pahela Baishakh. She called upon the people to take ‘khichuri’ (yellow rice), fried egg, roast meat, burnt dry chilli and other items during the Pahela Baishakh celebration.

She made the call to help boost production of the country’s national fish.

About ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’, she called upon people to remain alert about misinformation regarding the festival. There is no connection between the religion and the ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’.

She said that ‘Mangal Shobhajatra’ and the Bangla New Year have been being celebrated since the Mughal Empire. The religion does not ban the function. So there is no scope of spreading confusion about it, she added.

The celebration of Pahela Baishakh is the only festival which the people of all religions celebrate together. It is a good matter, said the PM.

She also that the New Year is celebrated even in Iran, and there is no justification to mingle it with religion.

BDST: 1950 HRS, APR 12, 2017
EHJ