JHENIDAH, Feb 1 : Some traditional customs of Ban-galees which once helped strengthen brotherhood among people of all communities have now almost been abolished. Poush Sankranti was one of such traditional festivities which people seem to have forgotten. .

Poush Sankranti was ob-servered by the Hindu commu-

nity on the last day of the Bengali month Poush. Housewives of the Hindu community prepared many types of cakes like ■Puly’, 'Chetai', Takao', 'Kushli', 'Khira', 'Bhapa'. 'Patisapta', 'Mutho' and other varieties to observe the day. Crushed 'Atop' rice, mollasses, cooking oil. coconut and spices were the main ingredients of the cakes. Relatives, especially

the brides were usually invited. Hindu women with new sarees used to draw 'Alpona' on the courtyeard of their houses. Alpona was very charming as it was drawn like calligraphy. It attracked many guests and reminded the freshness of life.

Shipra Saha, a housewife of village Kabirpur in Sailkupa thana told that the importance of Push Sankranti has been declining from the' lives of Ban-galees as the people of the country have become very busy to earn their livelihoods. Further, the prices of essentials have shot up manifold. People most of whom are poor are not in a position to arrange Poush Sankranti due to financial constraints as it needed so much money to entertain a good number of guests.

Jaharna Khatun, 65. of village Sailkupa said that Poush Sankranti was once an universal programme when they were young. People from both the Hindu and Muslim communities arranged Poush Sankranti or Pushuray in their respective houses. But now those days have gone away from our lives, added Jharana.