Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Saiful Islam inaugurated the two-day pitha festival in Khulna on Monday. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Jan 27, 2025 (BSS)- A two-day pitha utsab (cake festival) began at 
the premises of Bangladesh Shishu Academy (BSA) district office here to mark 
the "Tarunner Utsav" today.

District Administration, BSA, Department of Women Affairs and Jatiya Mohila 
Sangstha jointly organised the festival aimed at familiarizing the public in 
general with different types of pitha.

The festival is featuring pithas from different areas of the district that 
have been passed down from generation to generation.

Commissioner of Khulna Division Firoj Sarker addressed the opening ceremony 
as the chief guest while Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Saiful Islam was in the 
chair.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sadia Afrin and District Children Affairs 
Officer Saddam Hossain also spoke on the occasion.

Commissioner Firoj Sarker said: "We have to promote pithas not only for 
tradition but also as food."
 
"As a nation, we traditionally eat a lot of pithas and sweets. We are 
researching pithas unique to different parts of the country in this festival. 
The festival aims at promoting pithas as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and 
upholding the geographical indication of our local pithas," he added.
 
Besides, the inaugural ceremony included tricks with sticks, dance recitals 
and others.
 
The festival on the BSA premises is featuring over 50 stalls, including 
patishapta pitha, Pakon pitha, chitoi pitha, bhapa pitha, jamai pitha, 
Andhosa pitha and many others.
 
The pitha stalls are displaying pithas popular in different areas of the 
district.

Later, the chief guest distributed prizes among the winners of an arts 
competition to mark the "Tarunner Utsab".