DU to celebrate Pahela Baishakh with grand Shobhajatra.
Dhaka University (DU) will celebrate the Bengali New Year 1433 on Tuesday with elaborate programmes, as all preparations have already been completed amid a festive atmosphere on the campus.
This year’s Baishakhi Shobhajatra, carrying the theme ‘Noboborsher Oikotan, Gonotontrer Punorutthan’ (Harmony of the New Year, Resurgence of Democracy), will begin at 9:00am in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts.
The procession will start from the north gate (Gate-3) of the Faculty of Fine Arts, proceed towards Shahbag intersection, take a U-turn, and then pass Raju Sculpture and the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC), moving through Doel Chattar and in front of Bangla Academy before ending at the Faculty of Fine Arts.
Participants will be allowed to enter the campus only through Nilkhet and Palashi intersections. All other points and adjacent roads will remain closed during the procession. Authorities have requested that participants not join midway and instead enter through designated entry points. They have also been advised to carry valid identification for security reasons.
Continuing DU’s tradition and cultural identity, the procession will feature broad public participation, reflecting the rich folk heritage of the country. This year’s procession will include five motifs—rooster, violin, dove, elephant and horse—symbolizing strength, creativity, peace, pride and dynamism.
A group of 35 musicians will perform the national anthem, ‘Esho He Boishakh’ and other patriotic songs, adding vibrancy to the event. Around 200 students will carry the national flag during the procession.
Authorities have imposed several restrictions for security and discipline. Wearing masks and carrying bags will not be allowed, although masks prepared by the Faculty of Fine Arts may be displayed by hand. English placards, balloons, festoons and fireworks are also prohibited.
During the procession, several gates to Suhrawardy Udyan will remain closed, including those behind Raju Sculpture near Charukola’s Chhobir Haat and adjacent to Ramna Kali Mandir.
All New Year events on campus must conclude by 5:00pm. Entry will be allowed until 5:00pm, after which only exit will be permitted. From 7:00pm on April 13, only vehicles with university stickers will be allowed inside the campus. No vehicles, including motorcycles, will be allowed on campus on the day.
Residents of the university will be able to use only Nilkhet and Palashi gates for vehicle movement. Help desks, a control room and temporary medical camps will be set up near TSC, while mobile public toilets will be installed at key locations, including Muhsin Hall field, TSC area, Doel Chattar and Curzon Hall.
Enhanced security measures, including CCTV cameras and archways, have been installed across the campus.
As part of the celebrations, a cultural programme marking Chaitra Sankranti will be held at the Faculty of Fine Arts. On April 13, performances including folk songs and dance will take place at Bakultala from 4:00pm to 10:00pm.
Additionally, traditional folk theatre titled ‘Bagdatta’ and ‘Devi Sultana’ will be staged on April 15 and 16, performed by current and former students along with the troupe ‘Prottay Bangladesh’.
