As the western sky blushed crimson and the final sun of 2025 slipped quietly beyond the horizon, an entire nation paused—caught between memory and hope. 

The last sunset of the year did more than end a chapter of the calendar; it sealed a year etched with grief, resilience, struggle and awakening. 

Now, all eyes turn eastward, waiting for the first sunrise of 2026.

A new year, by definition, marks the moment when the calendar turns and the count of days begins anew. Every 365-day cycle carries within it the full spectrum of human experience—joy and sorrow, triumph and loss, fulfilment and longing. 

Yet humanity has always possessed the quiet courage to leave the old behind and step forward into the unknown. In that timeless rhythm, today marked the final sunset of 2025.

Amid this transition, Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus extended New Year greetings to people across Bangladesh and to Bangladeshis living abroad, joining the global community in welcoming the English New Year 2026.

But this year’s farewell arrives under a sombre sky. The nation remains draped in mourning following the passing of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Revered as a symbol of democracy and national unity, her uncompromising leadership carved a permanent place in the hearts of millions. 

As 2025 took its leave, it did so through tear-filled eyes and a nation’s collective reverence—an emotional goodbye steeped in love and gratitude.

Yet time, unwavering and impartial, does not pause for grief. The world continues its journey, hand in hand with the ticking clock. 

And so, even as 2025 fades into memory, 2026 stands at the threshold, knocking gently but firmly at the nation’s door—bearing with it new hopes, fresh commitments and a bundle of revived dreams.

Across the world, people welcome the New Year through diverse cultural rituals and celebrations. This year, however, the arrival of 2026 in Bangladesh carries a distinct resonance. The task of nation-building no longer rests solely on the shoulders of the government. 

The people themselves have grasped the reins of destiny. At the forefront stands the youth—once the heartbeat of a powerful mass awakening—now emerging as the architects of a modern, forward-looking Bangladesh. 

Though chaotic and thorn-laden, 2025 remains an indispensable chapter in this unfolding epic.

When the first light of 2026 breaks over the eastern horizon, it will signal more than the turning of a calendar page. It will announce a moment of renewal—a symbolic rebirth of a nation determined to learn from turbulent times. 

The lessons of the past year are set to become guiding stars for the road ahead. Bangladesh is no longer content merely to survive; it now marches forward with unyielding courage, resolved to reach the summit of excellence.

The dawn of 2026 is not merely a beginning—it is a declaration. A pledge that the wisdom drawn from unrest will illuminate the path for future builders of the nation. 

This is a people no longer preoccupied with endurance alone, but one committed to moving ahead—steadfastly, fearlessly.

A Year of Election and Expectation

Beyond its symbolic promise, 2026 carries profound political significance. In February, the country is set to witness the 13th National Parliamentary Election—anticipated to be the most participatory and festive in its history. 

Through this democratic exercise, a new chapter is poised to unfold. Bangladesh now strides toward a golden future, powered by the indomitable spirit and collective will of its people.

As the night deepens and anticipation grows, the nation waits—for the sunrise, for renewal, and for the promise of a new beginning.