<span style="color: #222222;">West Bengal celebrates Bengali New Years Day today. On this day, Bengali traders community opens new books of accounts named as 'Hal Khata'. But due to ongoing lockdown, New Years celebrations have been drastically curtailed this year. People are celebrating the day in their own houses with Ganesh pujas and other rituals. </span><br />''  <br />

<span style="color: #222222;">West Bengal is celebrating Bengali New Year's day today. People in large numbers are visiting Dakshineswar and Kalighat temples since early morning. A number of cultural programmes are also being held in different parts of the state depicting the culture of Bengal. The Bengali business community opens new books of accounts known as Halkhata on this day. Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have greeted the people on the occasion.</span><br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">"The first day of the Bengali New Year is known as Poila Baisakh. People are wishing each other saying Suvo Nabo Barsho and exchanging sweets and greetings. Traders open new books of Accounts which is known as Haal – Khata. The priests draw Swastikas on the new account books to please Lord Ganesha. Bengali newspapers have come out with special supplements. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Private television channels are airing special morning cultural programmes on the occasion. Restaurants have also planned special Bengali dishes for their customers. On the eve of elections, candidates are using the day for reaching out to voters personally and they are also using social media to send their good wishes to voters on New years day. </span><br />