In Bangladesh, the Bangla New Year Pahela Baishakh is being celebrated with traditional festivity and fervour. People from all walks of life specially children and women dressed in colourful dresses are pouring into the streets greeting each other. <br/><br/>The centre-stage of the celebrations in Dhaka is the Ramana Park where musical renditions by artists welcomed the New Year at dawn, and Dhaka University whose Faculty of Fine Arts organises the vividly colourful procession carrying various motifs, dolls, cultural items, etc, called Mangal Sobhajatra. Since last year the Mangal Sobhajatra is included in UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. <br/><br/>In the context of some radical Islamist groups demanding a ban on Pahela Baishakh celebrations branding them as Hindu celebrations, other public universities in and outside Dhaka and schools & colleges across the country have organised their own Mangal Sobhajatra this year onwards as suggested by the Directorate of Education. <br/><br/>Besides Mangal Sobhajatras, Pahela Baishakh celebrations across the country are marked with traditional fairs and folk festivals, closing of accounts and opening of new ledger books ( Hal Katha) to mark the beginning of the New Year, and enjoying traditional dishes and sweets with family members and friends. <br/>'<br/>Meanwhile, Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina has said that Bangla New Year Pahela Baishakh celebrations including the colourful Mangal Sobhajatra organised by Dhaka University are part of Bangla culture and not in conflict with any religious sentiment. <br/><br/>Urging Bangladeshis to celebrate Pahela Baishakh in a spirit of harmony and pride of cultural heritage, Hasina said the core value of the Mangal Sobhajatra is upholding own language, history, culture and heritage. The premier was speaking on the sidelines of another function in the capital last evening.