Bangladesh new year features crafts and flavours of home

Thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates thronged the Dubai Scouts Mission Ground on Friday to celebrate the arrival of the year 1408 on the Bengali calendar.

The Boishakhi Mela activities began at 5pm when people started to arrive at the festival ground where 40 stalls displaying traditional Bangladeshi wares, clothes and handicrafts had been set up.

The celebrations formally began at 7.30pm when Consul-General A.B.M. Abdus Salam opened the festival and toured the stalls. He said the event had succeeded in bringing Bangladeshi expatriates closer and in introducing traditional Bangladeshi culture to others.

"This cultural festival brings our people closer to each other and helps them build a strong bond," he said. "Besides, it reflects our culture, heritage and, through this event, we can tell others about our rich heritage and tradition.

"All Bangladeshi expatriates should take part in these cultural events and forget any divisions among themselves." Chief coordinator Hafizur Rahman said, "The Boishakhi Mela has become an important date in our community calendar and most Bangladeshi expatriates make it a point to join the festivities.

"The number of people at the festival exceeds 7,000. This is the largest gathering of Bangladeshi expatriates in the UAE." The stalls were crowded with curious people trying to buy their favourite craft or dress material.

But the centre of attraction was the traditional Bangladeshi food. Some were anxious to taste the flavours of home after being away a long time.

"After so many years I have tasted Mughlai paratha and Patishapta pitha (a specially-baked cake made of rice powder). I didn't know I would be able to taste these in this country. It is wonderful to be able to eat these in this part of the world," said Hasina, 32, a mother of two. "I visit Bangladesh once in two years. It has been ages since I tasted our traditional food."