Food and culture are still the two most important things for the Bengali community to celebrate their New Year's Day to be celebrated on April 15. From hotels to social organizations, all have already geared up for the occasion.

The Bengal Club will organise a cultural programme with a mixture of dance and music by a local cultural group.

The Jharkhand Banglabhashi Yuba Morcha and Kadma New Farm Area Durga Puja Committee are all set to organise a cultural extravaganza on April 15 with a series of dance and performances to celebrate Bengali new year. The evening will also showcase a tribal dance and contemporary styles.

One of the senior members of the community, Shekhar De, president of socio-cultural organisation The Milanee said that Bengalis of non-divided Bihar has a past history of about 700 years. However, the Bengalis started arriving in the city with the establishment of Tata Steel plant. “Poila Baisakh is an important day for us. No celebration in a Bengali home can be complete without the mouthwatering dishes and sweets. The aroma of deliciously prepared delicacies added up to the festive mood. Life is incomplete without culture especially for the Bengali speaking community and so, this is a getaway from the mundane life to enjoy your new year," said Joydeep Bannerjee, a social activist. The day starts on a ritualistic note. Members of all Bengali families woke up before dawn to offer prayers to Goddess Durga for the well-being of one and all. "We pray for the wellbeing of society," said Mouli Ghosh, a young girl.

City hotels on the other hand have geared up for food festivals. Hotel J K Residency and the Sonnet have decided to serve mouthwatering Bengali delicacies. The festival starts from April 13 to 16.  

Yashwee International will offer delicacies like bhapa ilish, bhapa bhetki and murg. The vegetarian platter will also have a wide variety ranging from aaloo posto, dhokar dalna, potoler dorma, echor and aaloo phul kofir torkari etc. The hotel has prepared a different a-la-carte menu for the three day festival.

The Yashwee has an elaborate menu. It has three varieties of dal, three varities of bread and five kinds of desserts. Also it is served with paan.