Dhaka, April 9 -- This year's Pahela Baishakh celebrations will see participation from 27 ethnic communities alongside Bengali people, making it one of the most inclusive New Year festivities in recent memory, according to cultural adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.

Speaking at a press conference held Wednesday at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Farooki said the aim is to make this year's celebrations a reflection of cultural unity across all groups in the country, UNB reports.

The press conference was jointly organised by the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma and Prime Adviser's Office Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were...