The year 2001 was greeted late last night and in the early hours of today in the city amidst fanfare and jubilation.

Hundreds of people joined the celebrations on the New Year's Eve to mark the advent of a new year in the Gregorian calendar.

In the capital, law enforcers had to keep extra vigil to prevent any untoward incident by midnight revellers who drank and danced out the night.

Hotels and clubs arranged special New Year's party while the youths blasted crackers to herald the year 2001 when the clock struck zero hours.

The Dhaka University campus and the posh Gulshan area turned out to be the revellers' paradise for the New Year celebrations like on previous occasions.

UNB adds: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon all to take fresh vow for building a poverty- and exploitation-free world order in the new millennium.

"We went to work together with the world community for building a peaceful world free from hunger, pollution and poverty," she said in a message on the eve of New Year 2001.

She welcomed the New Year in the new millennium, which brings messages of prosperity, excellence, fellow feelings and harmony for the world people, and greeted the countrymen as well as all members of the world community.

The PM said Bangladesh wants to be involved in the global endeavour for implementing all fundamental rights of the world people, including education, health and housing for all.

"May the next world be safe

abode for all children. The neglected women community be enlightened and unemployed youth involved in the process of production and prosperity through employment."

Reiterating her commitment to build a prosperous and modern Bangladesh in the new millennial perspectives, the prime minister said the people kept up their journey towards democracy, justice and voting right started off in the bygone years.