Bangladesh, April 14 -- Today is Pahela Boishakh, the first day of the Bengali calendar, celebrated across Bangladesh as the Bangla New Year.

It is widely observed as a universal folk festival, symbolising hope, renewal and collective well-being.

Beyond its calendrical significance, the day reflects a rich convergence of history, agriculture, economy and culture, deeply rooted in the life and identity of the Bengali people.

Although historians differ on the precise origins of the Bengali calendar, most agree that it assumed institutional form during the reign of Akbar (1556-1605).

Earlier systems in the Indian subcontinent, such as Vikram Samvat and the Shaka Era, were largely linked to religious observances.

However, Bengal's agrari...