Are we forgetting the ideals of our Bengali cultural identity?

For two successive years now, thousands of inhabitants of Dhaka dressed in traditional Bengali outfits were not seen swarming joyfully in Ramna Park and Dhaka University areas from the early morning on Pahela Baishakh. The cultural institution Chhayanaut could not organise their traditional programme of welcoming the New Year in Ramna Batamul for the second consecutive year. The vibrant mass procession known as "Mongol Shobhajatra" conducted to hope for the peace and well-being of the people did not make the city roads festive. Vacant Ramna Batamul premises and deserted roads conveyed a sense of gloom on Pahela Baishakh for two consecutive years, and people could only cherish the fond memories of gleeful celebrations they used to have on this day before the sudden occurrence of the deadly pandemic.