Staff Reporter : Bangladesh High Commission in Brunei Darussalam organized a colourful day-long program at the chancery premises to celebrate the ‘Bangla New Year 1431’ or ‘Pahela Baishakh’ on 05 May 2024. Mr. Pengiran Haji Rosli Bin Pengiran Haji Halus, Acting director of Museums, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour at the invitation of the Bangladesh High Commissioner Mrs Nahida Rahman Shumona. Among other invited guests and participants were Bangladeshi community members, members of the diplomatic core, civil society members, journalists, singers etc. Bangladeshi businessmen and restaurant owners displayed their food items and other products arranged in their respective stalls. The program started with ‘Mangal Shovajatra’, the signature procession to mark ‘Bangla New Year’. In the welcoming speech the Bangladesh High Commissioner thanked everyone for joining ‘Mangal Shovajatra’ which has been declared as ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ by UNESCO since 2016. The High Commissioner paid rich  tribute to the father of the nation of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for giving identity to a nation, and the current Prime Minister Excellency Sheikh Hasina for tirelessly working to preserve Bangladesh’s rich culture and steering Bangladesh towards development. She also read out the Special Messages received from the Hon’ble President and the Hon’ble Prime Minister on the occasion of ‘Bangla New Year 1431’. She sincerely thanked the Bangladesh community in Brunei, the Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and volunteers and sponsors for their contributions. The Guest of Honour visited the stalls and exchanged greetings with the representatives who were happy and proud to display their product variety to him and to other visitors. Traditional Bangladeshi food, such as panta (rice-based dish prepared by soaking rice in water overnight), Ilish fish (Hilsa ilisa), cake (Patishapta, Chitoi etc.), vegetables of different variety and other Bangladeshi dishes were displayed in the Bangladeshi stalls and served to the Guest of Honour who appreciated the delicacy of the cooking. The Guest of Honour thanked the Bangladesh High Commissioner for the excellent arrangement of the program. The day-long program was fragmented into several interesting parts – ‘musical chair’, ‘pillow passing’, ‘puncturing balloons’, ‘spoon run’, ‘hari vanga’ etc. The children contributed by their cheerful participation in ‘Jamon Khushi Tamon Shajo (decorate as you like)’, and ‘biscuit run’. The highlight of the event was a ‘fashion show’ participated by people from different nationalities. As part of the rich cultural heritage of Bangladesh and century-long practice of ‘Bangla New Year Celebration’, cultural performances were staged to entertain the audience. Thanks to the fruity melodious voice of the singers from the Bangladeshi community as well as from Brunei, the audiences were at the height of their satisfaction and joyfulness. The winners of all the competitions were awarded by giving token prizes. She thanked everybody for their active participation and requested them to forget all differences to make a better society capable of addressing any challenge in a collective way without leaving anyone behind.