Published : 15 Apr 2017, 12:30 AM
Updated : 19 Oct 2022, 03:33 PM
The lively gathering was marked by chatter and anecdotes lasting from afternoon to evening. Traditional Bengali food added to the flavour of the festivities.
Among the politicians were the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, and General Secretary Shirin Akhter, MP.
The Awami League chief's Advisor Salman F Rahman and ruling party MP Fazilatun Nasa Bappy were also present on the occasion.
The party's former MP Sarah Begum Kabori, better known as the legend of Bangla film, kept the participants spellbound with her charisma and well-known smile.
The BNP's National Standing Committee Member Abdul Moyeen Khan came with his spouse Rokhsana Khondker. Another member of the committee, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and the party's International Affairs Assistant Secretary Barrister Rumeen Farhana also joined the modest gathering.
From the Jatiya Party, its Presidium Member Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu attended the celebrations.
The political differences of the leaders of the major parties were happily conspicuous by their absence at the celebrations.
Moyeen Khan, Amir Khosru and others were already in an animated 'adda' when JaSoD chief Inu came to the venue. The information minister shook hands with them and joined the informal talk.
Salman F Rahman and Amir Khosru were also seen passing time in good cheer.
BIMSTEC Secretary General Sumit Nakandala joined the homely gathering with his spouse. Norway's Ambassador Sidsel Bleken also brought her spouse. Former diplomat Shahed Akter was also present.
Rasheda K Chowdhury, former advisor to a caretaker government and Campaign for Popular Education executive director, Professor Anwar Chowdhury, former vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, MA Taslim, economist, Professor Rubina Khan, chairperson of Dhaka University's English Department, Khaliquzzaman Elias, translator, and Abdus Selim, author, among others, attended the fanfare.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam was among the current and former government officials.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Chairman Shahjahan Mahmood, Vice-Chairman Ahsan Habib Khan, Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral AMMM Aurangzeb Chowdhury and Deputy Director General Commodore Yahya Syed were also in attendance.
Social activist Aroma Dutta, granddaughter of Dhirendranath Dutta, who first proposed legislation on Bangla as a state language in the Pakistan Constituent Assembly in 1948, and International Crimes Tribunal Prosecutor Tureen Afroz also joined the bdnews24.com celebrations. Julian Francis, Bangladesh's 'Foreign Friend of Liberation War', was also present.
Newly married couple Ganajgaran Mancha Spokesperson Imran H Sarker and Dhaka University teacher Nandita Nadia Islam attended the celebrations. Martyred intellectual Dr Alim Chaudhury's daughter Nuzhat Choudhury came with her spouse Dr Mamun Al Mahtab.
Among the entertainment industry stars, actor Pijush Bandyopadhaya and his actress wife Jayosree Kar Jaya, were present. TV and film actress Shomi Kaiser also joined the programme. Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and his actress wife Nusrat Imrose Tisha also came.
Ekattor TV Managing Director Mozammel Babu and Daily Janakantha Executive Editor Swadesh Roy were present with their spouses.
ADN Telecom Chairman Asif Mahmood, shohoj.com founding Managing Director Maliha Quadir, Delta BRAC Housing Finance Limited Managing Director QM Shariful Ala, Brummer and Partners Asset Management Bangladesh cofounder and partner Khalid Quadir, bKash CEO Kamal Quadir, and Duncan Brothers Bangladesh Ltd CEO and Managing Director Imran Ahmed were present, too.
bdnews24.com Editor-in-Chief Toufique Imrose Khalidi welcomed the guests to the venue. Senior Editor Subir Bhaumik and Head of Corporate Affairs Rasna Hasan were with him.
Panta-Ilish, the iconic item of Pahela Baishakh celebrations, was among the delicacies served to the guests. Besides this dish, Hilsa in Mustard Gravy, Fried Hilsa, Hilsa Fish Head with Taro Shoots and Smoked Hilsa were also served.
Varieties of mashed dishes were there. They included Mashed Eggplant, Mashed Red Potato, Mashed Tomato, Mashed Lentils, Mashed Black Cumin, Mashed Bean and Mashed Shrimp.
Dried Bombay Duck Bhuna and Dried Pomfret and Eggplant, and Dried Chhuri Fish were there along with Fish Chachari.
Beef with Pickle Gravy, Mutton Rezala, and Chicken Bhuna were the meat dishes.
Shingara, Lentil Puri, and Chatpati were served for the guests to enjoy with sips of Coconut Water, Green Mango Juice and Tamarind Juice.
Dessert included Rice Pudding, Yoghurt (Sour and Sweet), Rosgulla, Chomchom and Organic Sweets.
