Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended heartfelt greetings on the auspicious occasion of Poila Boishakh, marking the beginning of the Bengali New Year 1432. In a social media message, he conveyed his best wishes to the people, praying for their happiness, prosperity and good health.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Best wishes on Poila Boishakh! I hope all your wishes are fulfilled this year. I pray for everyone's success, happiness, prosperity and good health. Shubho Nabo Barsho!”
.
The Prime Minister also shared a colourful greeting card featuring traditional motifs and festive wishes.
Poila Boishakh—with Poila meaning ‘first’ and Boishakh being the first month of the Bengali lunisolar calendar—heralds a new year celebrated across Bengali-speaking communities in India and abroad, especially in West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, and Bangladesh.
Celebrations typically involve cleaning and decorating homes to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Intricate alpana designs—floral motifs drawn using a rice flour mixture—adorn thresholds, and devotees don new garments before visiting temples to seek divine blessings.
Culinary traditions play a significant role, with families preparing an array of authentic Bengali dishes. Restaurants, particularly in Kolkata, serve traditional fare ranging from shorshe ilish (mustard hilsa) to mishti doi (sweet curd), adding gastronomic richness to the day.
Shopkeepers and traders observe rituals by conducting Lakshmi-Narayan and Ganesh pooja, marking the commencement of the new financial year. A priest inscribes a swastika symbol with vermilion on the first page of a new ledger, believed to usher in luck and prosperity.
Observed with grandeur across borders and generations, Poila Boishakh remains a celebration of cultural identity, spiritual renewal, and communal harmony among Bengali-speaking people worldwide.
Follow us
