Bangladesh film star Jaya Ahsan celebrated Nabobarsho, the first day of Bangla New Year, in Kolkata for the first time.

The actress told Times of India, ‘I am missing my home in Bangladesh. I don’t really know how Kolkata celebrates the Bengali New Year, but in Bangladesh, it is nothing less than the Durga Puja festivities. The Mongol Sobhajatra procession from Dhaka’s Charukala Institute is something everyone should see once in their lives — it is so colourful! I think nowhere in the world is New Year celebrated this way: everyone, irrespective of their socio-economic conditions and religion, takes part in it. Nabobarsho in Bangladesh proves how secular we are.’

Jaya says, ‘I lose count of the gifts I get every year — saris, spices, sweets to ilish maachh... As I am not there this year, I have told my domestic help to keep all my gifts! I also bought gifts for my friends and family.’

‘We still have the tradition of hal khata in Bangladesh. I remember how I used to visit all the shops with nanu (grandfather) so that my sister and I could collect sweet boxes and calendars. Finally, Nabobarsho is all about good food back home,’ says the national award winner.