Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 15 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday extended greetings to the people of the state on Bengali New Year, wishing peace, harmony, and prosperity for all citizens.

She also urged people to resist divisive forces and reaffirmed her appeal to voters ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

Polling in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with the results of the Assembly elections scheduled to be announced on May 4.

In a post on X, West Bengal CM said, 'From the depths of my heart, I extend my warmest greetings of Bengali New Year to the people of all corners of the state. May this fresh dawn of a new era make each of your lives free from blemish. In this call of the new, may every soul brim with sanctity. Just as our Bengal is the cradle of art and culture, so too is it the cradle of harmony among all religions. Some malevolent forces are leaving no stone unturned to tarnish this Bengal. Delhi's zamindars are usurping people's voting rights. Remember, we must give them a democratic answer.'

https://x.com/MamataOfficial/status/2044250026894082115?s=20

'On this auspicious day today, let us collectively take a vow: breaking down the walls of all narrow-mindedness, we shall emerge united. May no divisive or authoritarian force ever sever the bonds of our eternal peace, traditional harmony, and goodwill. May everyone stay well and healthy. In the upcoming Assembly elections, to uphold your democratic rights--vote for the Jora Phul symbol and ensure victory for all nominated candidates of the Trinamool Congress with overwhelming votes,' the post read.

Poila Boishakh marks the beginning of the Bengali calendar year and is observed by Bengali communities in various parts of India and abroad. The term 'Polia' means first, and 'Boishakh' is the first month of the lunisolar Bengali calendar. Today, the community celebrates the beginning of the year 1432.

According to Bengali Sakabdi, the first day of the year is considered the most auspicious.

'Poila Boishakh' is observed by Bengalis worldwide, irrespective of geographical location, but the occasion has a special significance for Bengalis in Bangladesh and in Bengali-speaking areas of India, including West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam.

In celebration of the 'Noboborsho' (New Year), homes are cleaned and decorated to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. The front door is decorated with alpana, a painting made with a mixture of ground rice and flour with water. (ANI)