Dhaka, March 23 -- Cultural Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki on Sunday revealed the preparations for this year's Bangla New Year celebrations, emphasizing greater inclusivity and diversity in the festivities with participation from various cultural entities.

"After working for 40 years, this is the first time I have been invited to such a meeting," said Miles band frontman Hamin Ahmed, during a preparatory discussion at the Secretariat on the upcoming celebrations on Sunday. Sharing this example, Farooki noted in a post on Facebook that this was a first-time experience for many others as well:

"For the first time, representatives from diverse ethnic communities, alongside artists from various musical traditions, sat together at the Secret...