Colorful Celebration of Bengali New Year at Comilla University

CoU Correspondent : After five years, Comilla University (CoU) came alive with vibrant festivities as it celebrated Bengali New Year 1432 with great enthusiasm and grandeur. The campus was filled with joy and cultural spirit as teachers, students, officers, and staff participated in the day-long events.

The celebration began on Monday (April 14) with a colorful procession led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Haydar Ali. Starting in front of the administrative building, the rally moved through various streets of the campus and concluded at the Baishakhi Square.

The procession saw the participation of Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Masuda Kamal, Treasurer Professor Dr. Mohammad Solaiman, Proctor Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Hakim, Registrar Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, along with teachers, students, and officials from various departments.

Following the procession, the festive activities began in full swing. At 10 AM, traditional rural games such as cockfighting for boys and musical chairs for girls took place, drawing great excitement among students. From 10:30 AM onwards, the stage came alive with cultural performances including folk songs, poetry recitations, dance, and short plays performed by students—filling the air with the essence of Bengali heritage.

Simultaneously, a Baishakhi fair was held at Baishakhi Square, where each department set up food stalls offering traditional pitha (rice cakes) like patishapta, chitoi, dudh-chita, malpoa, and other mouthwatering items that captivated visitors' taste buds.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Haydar Ali remarked, “The Bengali New Year is a timeless tradition of our culture. It is a celebration that unites people beyond religion and background. I sincerely thank the organizers for arranging such a successful event in a short time. We are proud to celebrate it together.”

Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Masuda Kamal said, “This New Year celebration represents the spirit of Bengali culture and tradition. Such events play a crucial role in nurturing patriotism and cultural awareness among the younger generation.”

Treasurer Professor Dr. Mohammad Solaiman added, “Pahela Baishakh marks the beginning of new possibilities. Let our commitment this year be to move forward with democratic values and transparency.”

The return of the celebration after five years brought extra joy among students. Many expressed that regular cultural events like this would greatly contribute to their mental and emotional development.

One of the highlights of the celebration was the creative initiative by ‘Britt CU,’ the university’s only graffiti organization. On Sunday night, they transformed various parts of the campus—including the main gate and roundabouts—into colorful canvases with vibrant alpana (traditional art), adding an aesthetic charm and ushering in the festive spirit of Baishakh.