ADITHI SHARMA | NT BUZZ
The Ganga Zuari Academy (GZA) marked the Bengali New Year with a Nabo Barsho celebration with ‘Indrdhanush 2025’ held at the International Centre Goa (ICG), Dona Paula, on April 13. Coinciding with the Punjabi festival of Baisakhi, both the festivals were celebrated together at the event, that saw around 40 attendees from various professional backgrounds including scientists, doctors, professors, civil servants, defence personnel, musicians, and singers, who came together to form the community audience.
The evening aimed to offer a space for cultural exchange and community engagement.
Established in 2007, GZA is a not-for-profit cultural organisation that draws its name from the River Ganga and Goa’s River Zuari. The Academy works to promote social harmony through inclusive cultural activities.
The event was marked by a musical evening of song and dance accompanied by a panel discussion on the topic ‘The role of Regional Languages in keeping India united.’ Vice president of GZA, Anil Bhattacharya, opened the event by describing it as a multi-lingual and multi-cultural celebration of ‘Nabo Barsho’- which means the New Year in Bengali.
Bhattacharya commended the efforts of organisers A. Moitro and Saurov Roy for the planning and execution of the event. The programme was conducted by Dr Prafulla Rajput and included photography and videography
by Deepta.
Speaking to The Navhind Times, Bhattacharya provided a historical explanation of ‘Poila Baisakh’, the other name for Bengali New Year. He noted that during the Mughal era, tax collection followed a lunar calendar- called Hizri, which did not align with agricultural cycles. “This posed difficulties as harvest or agriculture produce of subjects on which tax to be levied; and by which tax to be paid- followed a solar climatic cycle instead,” he said. To address this, the calendar was adjusted to follow the solar cycle, resulting in the creation of the Bengali calendar or ‘Bangabdo’ during Emperor Akbar’s rule. “Tax collection accounting then started from the first day of the year, which was Poila Baisakh,” he noted.
He further explained that Poila Baisakh is traditionally observed through family gatherings, community events, and cultural programmes. In 2016, UNESCO recognised the celebration as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Secretary of GZA, A. Moitro added that the April 13 event reflected the intended spirit of Nabo Barsho, which is to mark a new beginning with intent and commitment.”
