Old Dhaka Traders Friday said they will join the Pahela Baishakh celebration by observing the Halkhata tradition like every year.
The traders also said they carry out the tradition to set an example so that the culture is carried down to the next generation.
Rofiqul Islam, a shop owner at Babu Bazar, said the tradition of Halkhata and celebration of Pohela Boishakh is considered as a tradition of Bangali culture, irrespective of religion.
Amit Das, owner of Dhaka Jewelry House, told the FE: “On the occasion of Pohela Boishakh we have decorated and cleaned our shop like others in the Old Dhaka. Besides, we have opened a new business Khata and will offer customers sweet”.
Halkhata, which started in the Moghul era, is a Bengali culture where the businessmen invite customers to their shops offering sweets and start a new bookkeeping by clearing previous debts.