A three-day ‘Baisabi Utsab’, the biggest traditional festival of ethnic minority people in Chittagong Hill Tracts marking the new year, began in Rangamati through floating flowers in the Kaptai Lake at Rajbari ghat early yesterday The first day of the festival is called 'Phulbijhu' while the second day 'Mulbijhu' and the third day also the first day of the Bangla New Year the 'Gojyapojya Din'.

President of Adibashi Forum Prakriti Ranjan Chakma inaugurated the festival through floating flowers at Rajbari ghat in Kaptai lake where a number of ethnic minority people participated.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Dr Gouhar Rizbee, Chairman of Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board (CHTDB) Noba Bikram Kishore Tripura among others with a large numbers hill people floated flowers at CHTDB Ferry Ghat in the Kaptai Lake at about 11.30 am.

 State Minister for Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Ministry, and President of Rangamati District unit Awami League Dipankar Talukdar and Chairman of Rangamati Hill District Council (RHDC) Brisha Ketu Chakma floated flowers at Garjanthali Ghat in Kaptai Lake.