Community Association of Nova Scotia celebrated Pahela Baishakh

The Pahela Baishakh and Eid Reunion Anand Mela was held at the Leburn Community Center Bedford under the initiative of the Bangladeshi Community Association of Nova Scotia (BDCANS).

In the Baisakhi fair, many stalls are set up displaying various traditional Bangladeshi items. In these stalls, almost all kinds of pithas, curd-sweets, muri-murki, jilapi, clothes, hawai mitha and food collection reminds everyone of the well-known rural Baisakhi fair of Bengal.

The program started by singing the national anthem of Bangladesh. Then the national anthem of Canada was also played. The event was attended by Nova Scotia MP Lina Metledge Diab, MLA John A. McDonald (MLA, Hants East), Councilor Tony Mancini, Daniel Bingham-Pankartz (US Consulate General Halifax) and Halifax Mayor Mike Savage.

Sudheejans present at the event presented their speech. Meanwhile, Nova Scotia MP Lina Matlej Diab emphasized in her speech that if such arrangements and harmony are maintained, the new generation of Canadian-Bangladeshis will never forget their heritage. He said that he has not forgotten the traditions of his grandfather and great-grandfather, as his father had informed him of their traditions, as his father had been taught by his grandfather.

In his speech, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage officially declared the week of April 14-20 as Bengali Heritage Week on the occasion of Bengali New Year on behalf of Halifax Regional Municipality. He handed over the declaration of Bengal Heritage Week recognition to BDKans.

After that, there was a cultural performance by the children. The native traditions and cultural practices of these Bangladeshi Canadian children are really commendable. In the event, Dwipanbeeta Dey performed folk music, Fayyaz Zaidan Ariyan performed classical Islamic music and Nazrul music. After that, lunch was organized by BDCans. Bangladeshi food is enjoyed by all present, both local and foreign.

At the end of the lunch artiste Shruti Chakraborty's song mesmerized everyone. Mahbubur Rahman and Tahmina Dewan's recitation of Cauliflower poetry gives everyone much joy. Sonia Afroz, a regular musician of Bangladesh Betar, performed instrumental music by playing the sitar. Then songs by Mithun Baran De and Rabindra Sangeet by Sayeda Farzana Tanjim were performed.

Guest artist Guruprasad Debashish enthralled everyone with his solo folk song. Such an initiative of BDCans will play an important role in establishing the culture of Bangladesh in Canada and in awakening the sense of patriotism among the new generation of Canadian Bangladeshi children and teenagers - this is the expectation of the organizers of the event.

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