Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- A ten-day Baishakhi Mela (fair) begins in the capital Dhaka on Saturday to celebrate the biggest carnival of Bangalees --Pahela Baishakh, the first day of the Bangla New Year.
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and Bangla Academy are jointly organizing the fair on the Bangla Academy premises.
Industries Minister Dilip Barua will inaugurate the fair at 3:45 pm, officials said.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Promod Mankin, Industries Secretary KH Masud Siddiqui, Bangladesh Television (BTV) director general M Hamid and Bangla Academy director general Shamsuzzaman Khan will be the special guests at the inaugural session, to be chaired by BSCIC chairman Fakhrul Islam.
The inaugural session of the fair will be followed by a cultural function featuring music and dance. The fair will remain open from 10 am to 8:00 pm till April 23.
BBN/SSR/AD-14Apr12-7:20 am (BST)
