The Santal indigenous community in Gobindaganj subdistrict of Gaibandha district welcomed spring in a festive manner through “Baha Porob,” traditional spring celebration on 12 March.
Baha means flower in the Santal language, for which the festival is also known as festival of flower
The Baha Porob celebration community organized the festival jointly with Obolombon, a non-profit organization, with support from the Human Rights Programme of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
People of the Santal community joined the festival with enthusiasm. Santal women wore flowers, and danced and sang which created the festive mood.
Besides villagers, various Santali cultural groups and artistes performed on the occasion. Everybody was mesmerized by their performances on Santali music and dance.
The program was presided over by Philemon Basak, president of the celebration committee. Gaibandha-4 MP Monowar Hossain Chowdhury was present on the occasion as chief guest while municipal Mayor Ataur Rahman was present there as special guest.
Shankar Pal and Mahbubul Haque from UNDP, advocate Sirajul Islam Babu, researcher Kerina Hasda, Prisila Murmu, Naren Basak, president of Pargana Parishad were also present during the festival, among others.