The University of Development Alternative (UODA) welcomed the Bangla New Year 1425 with due festivities and enthusiasm on Saturday.
A colourful procession, titled Bangla Shobhajatra, was brought out by the students of the university on the morning of Pahela Baishakh at different streets of Dhanmondi.
UODA founder and president Professor Mujib Khan and UODA Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam Sharif led the procession.
Teachers and high officials of the university joined the procession with hundreds of former and current students.
The theme for this year's Bangla Shobhajatra was determined as “Jhilmil Jhilmil Kore Re Moyur Pongkhi Nau”, an excerpt from a song of prominent singer Shah Abdul Karim.
This procession also displayed various animal-shaped carnival floats, large colourful masks, replicas of birds, butterflies, traditional dolls and other motifs of Bangladeshi culture.
A cultural programme was also held in front of the university's Fine Arts department in Dhanmondi on the first day of Bangla calendar.
Professor Emeritus of UODA and former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Emajuddin Ahmed joined the cultural programme.
Students of School of Development Alternative (SODA) and College of Development Alternative (CODA) took part in all segments of Pahela Baishakh celebrations.