“Shuto Nabo Barsho” means ‘a very happy New Year’ but it is
not said on January 1st but rather April 14th. April 14th
is just another spring day for many people but for many of the residents of
Bangladesh and Western India it is the first day of the Bengali calendar, New
Year’s Day. The celebration includes: putting on your best clothes, visiting family
and friends as well as eating traditional dishes. Thoroughly cleaning or even painting their
dwelling is another custom practiced as preparations are made for a new
year.
In the section ‘Do the Numbers Add Up?’ in Subtle Differences, Big Faux Pas you are reminded that not everyone uses
the Gregorian calendar , writes date in the same format or even considers this
year, 2012. According to the Bengali
calendar the year is 1419.
Have you ever had the opportunity to attend a tradition
Bengali celebration? Share your experience.
I have questions on world calendars. In the USA the Gregorian we use mm/dd/yr, elsewhere seems dd/mm/yr; Any thoughts? When in say Bangladesh, what would be the business standard? Social standard?
ReplyDeleteA great cultural questions – looking at how tradition influences practice. The answer to your questions, both the Bengali year and Gregorian year play a role in the country. Official documents such as passports carry dates based on the Gregorian calendar and contractual agreements could use Gregorian dates if requested. However, New Year is an important period of the year; therefore it can be an advantageous period for building relationships that could lead to future business deals. Discounting the significance of the Bengali year, could be a faux pas.
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