On April 14 each year Bangladeshis wake up to a new start with the rise of the century-old sun that surges in the eastern sky. This year too it was no exception and people flooded to the streets to greet the first rays of the sun that marked Noboborsho 1418 Pohela Boishakh. But what makes each year special is the mark of its beginning. Boishakh holds a special place in each and every one of our hearts and minds and when it comes to celebrating, we as a nation don't hold back the least bit. When the vibe of the nationwide celebrations remained in the air over the three day weekend, IPDC of Bangladesh Limited a non banking financial institution of the country, since last 30 years affiliated with Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) held a beautiful get-together for its valuable clients, their families, employees and well wishers on the auspicious occasion of the Bengali New Year, Pohela Boisakh 1418 on 16th April 2011.

The event was held at Club Amazon, Road-80, Gulshan-2 starting at 3:00 pm followed by amazing activities for all ages, organizing its own “Boishaki Nimontron”. It was a congregation of its clients and employees along with their family members; whereby an opportunity for everyone to mingle was created. Last year too IPDC arranged similar program which received accolade from all levels. Management of IPDC this year thus planned to commence the event with style and as a result organized a grand event on the occasion, on April 16, 2011. Ignoring the unbearable heat and humidity or the undying traffic in Dhaka City, nothing stopped the guests of IPDC to leave home with a smile on face, not forgetting to adorn with colors of red and white, having innate Bengali traditions, to attend the event. Once into the premises of the Club Amazon ground people were enthusiastic about all the happenings there starting from clothes, jewellery to food, showcasing the zeal and belongingness being felt while celebrating our very own New Year.

At the gate remained Kanan, a traditional Dhuli who welcomed the guests to the merry making event with the beats along with his Dhuli team mates. The noise was loud enough to have been heard from all along the adjacent streets which on the other hand made passersby inquisitive about the occasion. Not to forget to mention that the decorative items used to make Club Amazon reflect the festivities were revealing about Boishakh in every loop and corners which also provided hints about what was going on within the premise. Inside the Club the look turned into a small version of a traditional village fair only to differ from were the people attending the occasion because people there were city dwellers. IPDC tried level best to provide a glimpse of what celebrating Boishakh would be like to the children who arrived with their families to the event. Their list of activities included

1. Canvas Painting
2. Parrot Fortune Teller
3. Picture Booth (Portrait)
4. Snakes & Ladder
5. Circus
6. Bioscope
7. Monkey Dance
8. Bangles (Churi)
9. Balloon Shooting
10. Mehendi
11. Face Painting
12. Fanush
13. Raffle Draw
14. Baul Sangeet
15. Goodie Bags

The occasion had something to offer to each and everyone who attended the event. From Chotpoti , Phuchka and Khulfi to Nagor Dola (ferries wheel), the Nimontron had absolutely everything needed to get into the feel of Boishakh. IPDC’s Chairman Mr. Sulaiman Ajanee, Managing Director & CEO, Ms. Humaira Azam , Deputy Managing Director , Mr. Mominul Islam along with other senior officials and local directors of the Company graced the occasion and spent quality time with the families and clientele.

As the year started off with the month of Boishakh with colours, music and dances, one present that day could only hope that they let go off their past to relish the new memories built, with friends and family and IPDC felt proud to have had organized an event this grand.