Noboborsho brings new delight to govt staff

The celebration of this Pahela Baishakh would be more joyous for the government officials as they have received a festival bonus for the first time for the Bangla New Year.

The public servants started receiving the bonus, 20 percent of their basic salary, from last week after the government in its new pay scale introduced it for its 14 lakh officials and staff in addition to other festival bonuses. Besides, officials and employees of autonomous bodies and government-owned banks are also getting the benefits.

The incentive also puts a positive impact on the markets as the major shopping hubs in the capital witnessed a throng of shoppers during the last weekend, particularly on Friday.

Pahela Baishakh is considered as Bangalees' biggest festival  as it brings people together in a festivity of cultural practices deeply rooted in secular ethos. The nation welcomes the first day of Bangla year amid traditional fanfare and festivity, celebrated with grandeur and colours, discarding all melancholies of the preceding year.

The entire country transforms into an effervescent carnival, with fairs, cultural programmes, festivals and processions in almost every village, town and city.

Abdul Khaleque, an employee of the cabinet division, said this Pahela Baishakh has brought greater happiness for him.

"It feels like Eid. We've received a bonus and there would be a three-day holiday also as the first day of Bangla New Year would be on Thursday," he said. He received Tk 2,894 as a bonus.

Finishing his office on Wednesday, Khaleque would start for his Manikganj home. "I would take my family members to the fairs and buy them gifts," he said.

For Amirul Islam Pramanik, an official of the finance ministry, the celebration of this year's Pahela Baishakh would be different too. He has received Tk 6,802 as the festival bonus.

"I will have to buy dresses for my kids which would not be possible with the bonus money. I'll have to add some extra also," he said.

The official termed the government's move good and it would have been more joyous if they would get full basic as a bonus. "I hope it will increase in the future," said an optimistic Amirul.

Abdul Mannan, an officer of the banking division, said they never dreamt of getting a bonus to celebrate Pahela Baishakh. "I'll spend all day roaming around with my family; it would be a lot of fun," he said. He received Tk 6,900 as a bonus.

Centring the Pahela Baishakh, city dwellers were on a shopping spree on Friday. New Market, Gausia, Mouchak Market and Bashundhara City Shopping Mall were swarmed with shoppers.

"Except during the Eid, I have never seen such a crowd on  Friday," said Mohona Azam, a third year student of Eden Mohila College. She said she found it difficult to walk on the sidewalks along the New Market area. "I went to buy a sari from Gausia, it was almost impossible."

Similar was the view of Tahrima Ahmed, a housewife from Jatrabari. She went to Bashundhara City mall to buy dresses.

The sales were also up, expressed some sellers jubilantly.

"Every year, we a see rush of customers before the Pahela Baishakh, but this year it's different," said Khaled, a salesman of a sari shop at Gausia.

He, however, said he did not know the reason for the crowd, but without complaining, added that the sales were good.

"The stores were filled with people," said a tired yet elated Tahmina, adding, "The crowd doubled in the evening." She managed to buy a sari for herself and dresses for her husband and daughter. 

It is after all Pahela Baishakh, they all seem to say in a perfect harmony.