Paikgachha Hosts 'Jaistha Falahar' Literary and Cultural Festival

The Mouchak Sahitya-Sanskriti Sangsad hosted its annual Jaistha Falahar (summer fruit festival) and literary conference in Paikgachha, Khulna, on Friday morning. Held at the Upazila Town Secondary School, the event brought together literature lovers and cultural activists to celebrate Bengali heritage through poetry, discussions, and traditional summer fruits.

Poet and teacher Khalilur Rahman presided over the event, which was supervised by Mouchak founder Panchanan Mallick and moderated by the organization's president, Asim Roy.

Notuntara Founder Director General Saifur Mina and Central National Advisor Sheikh Abu Aslam Babu attended as the principal speakers. Special guests included Paikgachha Press Club President Advocate F.M.A. Razzak and several central leaders from the Natuntara Social Welfare and Literature Association. Local journalists, poets, and educators were also in attendance.

Following a floral welcome by local children, speakers discussed the vital role of literature and culture in developing human values. They emphasized that there is no alternative to literary practice when building an enlightened society and stressed the importance of engaging the younger generation in creative pursuits.

The cultural segment featured regional songs by artist G.M. Emdad. Additionally, poetry recitations were performed by several local and visiting poets, including Kausar Ali Morol, Papia Sultana, Zeba Khan, and child poet Afia, among others.

The day-long festival concluded in a festive atmosphere with the traditional Falahar. Attendees enjoyed a communal spread of seasonal fruits native to the Bengali month of Jaistha, including mangoes, jackfruits, litchis, blackberries (jam), and sapodilla (sabeda).