We welcome another new year in the Bangla Calendar, Pahela Baishakh. This day of festivity cuts across all religion, caste, creed and class and is observed and participated by all. And this is the day where Bangalis come together against all the forces that threaten to disrupt harmony in our society. With the advent of the Bangla New Year, we feel the pull of the fertile soil and ancient roots that embed us to this land. This year, we take our readers on a journey of the traditional and unique artefacts created by potters, weavers and metal workers. A journey where people from all walks of life come out to celebrate the first day of the Bangla New Year culminating in carnivals, cultural programmes, festive rallies and food festivals. It is a celebration of folk music and folk tales that are deeply connected with the psyche of the country and resonates through the villages of Bengal. These primordial treasures are enmeshed with our contemporary psyche reinforcing the secular spirit of this most colourful, vibrant and exhilarating of festivals. We wish all our readers Shubho Naboborsho!

Editor
THE DAILY STAR