Dhaka, April 5 -- Minister of Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury says the traditional Bangla New Year procession will be referred to as the "Baishakhi Shobhajatra".

The minister told reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, "We want an end to the controversy over the name of the Pahela Baishakh procession. Pahela Baishakh is basically a festival for the common people and farmers from all walks of life. We are a democratic government accountable to the people. In democracy, there is unity in diversity. From now on, the New Year procession will be held under the name 'Baishakhi Shobhajatra'."

"All the other events, such as Chhayanaut's New Year's event at the Ramna Batamul, will still be held on Pahela Baishakh. The procession from the F...