The Embassy of Bangladesh in Brussels has virtually celebrated the Bangla New Year 1428 in advance with the participation of more than eight thousand Bengali and foreign guests from Europe and different corners of the world. Singer Nobonita Chowdhury performed songs from different regions and genres of the country in the event held on Monday, said the Embassy of Bangladesh in Brussels on Tuesday. She rendered songs including Rabindra, Nazrul and Lalon Sangeet, songs of Hasan Raja, Vijay Sarkar, and Bhawaiya, which showcased the richness of Bengali songs to the world. There was a narration in English by the singer on the theme and background of each song for foreign guests.

The government has asked everyone not to hold any mass gatherings and outdoor celebrations during Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla calendar, for the second time in a row to curb the spread of Covid-19. However, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs called on the people to welcome the Bengali New Year 1428 on April 14 with online festivities. Pahela Baishakh celebrations form an integral part of Bengali culture since they began over six centuries back. A notification issued by the ministry on Wednesday said, "In line with the instructions issued by the Cabinet Division, following the current Covid-19 situation, it is requested that events be organised on online platforms if possible. Mass gatherings should  be avoided at any cost." Also read: Bangladesh shatters its all-time records of daily Covid cases All programmes had also been cancelled last year to avoid mass gatherings to curb the spread of Covid-19. Bangladesh is now seeing a spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths for the last few weeks.  The country saw the highest number of daily infections with 7,626 new cases reported until early Wednesday since the outbreak began in March last year.  Also, the country recorded 63 more deaths from the virus in the past 24 hours, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. Also read: Pahela Baishakh being celebrated without outdoor programmes Although the government enforced a 7-day lockdown from Monday restricting people's movement, shutting shops, markets and suspending operations of public transport, people took it lightly and are moving around freely defying the restriction, posing risks of more transmission. Also, the movement of city buses resumed on Wednesday, two days after the enforcement of the lockdown, as the government has allowed public transport services in city corporation areas. However, hospitals are struggling to provide treatment to the increasing number of coronavirus patients with their limited resources.