Published : 15 Apr 2025, 10:29 AM
Updated : 28 Aug 2026, 01:20 AM
Amidst convivial chatter and the open exchange of thoughts, bdnews24.com has celebrated Pohela Boishakh, bringing together leading figures from diverse spheres.
As the morning gave way to noon, guests arrived one after another, soon immersing themselves in lively conversations.
Between exchanges, servings of traditional and delectable Boishakhi delicacies lent a sense of culinary fulfilment to bdnews24.com’s cherished annual gathering.
The festivity took on a warm and familiar tone, as old acquaintances reunited and exchanged greetings, soon flowing naturally into cheerful chat.
Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi greeted the guests and hosted them with homemade dishes.
The table featured Boishakhi classics such as parched rice, Batasha (sugar buttons), Nadu (Coconut jaggery ball) and the signature Panta-Ilish (fermented rice with hilsa fish).
The venue buzzed with life throughout the afternoon, as an eclectic mix of guests—from politicians, artists, writers, actors, and cultural figures to freedom fighters, former officials, businessmen, and diplomats—came together, adding vibrancy to the celebration.
BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Jatiya Party Chairman Ghulam Muhammed Quader joined the gathering.
Dr Mushtuq Husain, a member of the Standing Committee of Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD) and advisor to the Institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), was also present.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma came with his wife Manu Verma, both dressed in traditional Boishakhi attire.
German Ambassador to Dhaka Achim Tröster and his wife Bettina Tröster joined the festivities in colourful Boishakhi outfits.
The celebration also welcomed French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy, Turkish Ambassador Ramis Şen, Argentine Ambassador Marcelo Cesa, South Korean Ambassador Park Young-sik, and Pavel Dvoychenkov, director of the Russian Cultural Centre in Dhaka.
Business leaders included Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, president of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) chief; Faizur Rahman Khan, managing director of Building Technology and Ideas (BTI) Limited; Minhaz Mannan, director of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE); Mostafa Shiblee, an entrepreneur in the tourism and agriculture sectors.
Former captain of the national cricket team and war veteran ASM Raqibul Hasan arrived with his wife Shirin Sultana.
The gathering also included Julian Francis, a friend of the Liberation War who received Bangladeshi citizenship for his contributions; former secretary and freedom fighter Moniruzzaman Chowdhury (Monju); and Bir Pratik Habibul Alam.
Shahed Akhtar, former Bangladeshi ambassador to Spain, Thailand, and Cambodia and Kazi M Aminul Islam, former executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), were among the guests.
Md Obayed Ullah Al Masud, chairman of Islami Bank, and Abu Sayeed M Ahmed, president of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh, also attended.
Prominent physician MA Ali and Director General of the Directorate General of Medical Education (DGME) Nazmul Hossain joined the Boishakhi celebration as well.
Internationally acclaimed Spain-based artist Monirul Islam and artist Rashid Amin attended the event.
Actors Tauquir Ahmed and Ahsan Habib Nasim, theatre director and actor Mohammad Bari, as well as playwrights Masum Reza and Selina Shelly were part of the Boishakhi celebration.
Celebrity couples who joined included M Hamid and Falguni Hamid, Pijush Bandyopadhyay and Jayosree Kar Jaya, as well as Shahiduzzaman Selim and Rosey Siddique.
Actor Azizul Hakim came later in the day with his wife, playwright Zeenat Hakim.
Recitation artist Bhaswar Bandyopadhyay, along with band musicians Naquib Khan and Naseem Ali Khan graced the gathering with their presence.
Actors Shahnaz Khushi and Brindabon Das brought along their sons Dibya Joyti and Soumya Joyti.
Photographer Nasir Ali Mamun and Deputy Editor of Daily Jugantor Ehsanul Haque Babu were also present at the Boishakhi celebration.
Journalist Masood Kamal attended with his wife.
Founding member of the Bangladesh Astronomical Association Mash-hu-rul Amin and organiser Zikrul Ahsan also took part in the event.
In the scorching heat, guests were first welcomed with refreshing drinks like raw mango juice, lemonade and coconut water.
Mouthwatering snacks like Singara, Dalpuri, and Chatpati also found their place in the festive spread.
The culinary delights offered a rich experience, featuring Panta Bhat (fermented rice), shorshe ilish (hilsa in mustard sauce), fried hilsa, red rice, salad, hilsa roe, dried ribbon fish, sautéed dried loitta fish, mashed red potato, mashed taki fish, mashed shrimp, mashed aubergine, mashed black cumin, fish curry, bitter gourd with shrimp, mutton rezala, pickled beef, sautéed rohu, sautéed chicken, and taro stolons cooked with hilsa head.
Brahmanbaria’s Chhanamukhi (crispy sweet made from cottage cheese), Sirajganj’s Chhanar Jilapi (jalebi made with cottage cheese), Barishal’s Roshogolla (syrup-soaked cottage cheese balls), Tangail’s Chomchom (dense syrup-soaked sweet), Payesh (rice pudding), Barishal’s Roshomalai (cheese balls soaked in creamy milk), and Jashore’s Sadek Golla (local sweet ball made from milk solids) rounded off the feast.
