Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Society in colorful arrangement.

Hakikul Islam Khokon

The 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh Society, i.e. the Golden Jubilee, was celebrated with the determination to build a strong community by uniting the Bangladeshi diaspora in the United States under one umbrella. The Golden Jubilee Festival of the traditional Society for Community Development and Welfare, founded in 1975, was held on Sunday afternoon, November 2, at Terrace on the Park, Queens. The five-hour-long program of the festival included discussion sessions, familiarization sessions, meritorious honors, commemorations and interesting cultural programs performed by popular artistes. At the event, everyone’s cooperation was requested to complete the dream project by completing the signing of the contract for the purchase of the Bangladesh building worth 4.9 million dollars in Jamaica. As a large number of expatriate Bangladeshis joined the program, the festival became a meeting place for Bangladeshis due to their spontaneous presence. Especially the presence of the new generation and former officers of the society adds a different dimension to the event. However, there was no lack of sincerity and planning of the society’s officials in organizing the event, but it was messy – many people complained. Besides, minor incidents like unexpected ‘clashes and jostles’ in ‘unpleasant circumstances’ somewhat dampen the achievements of the show. On the occasion of the event, an interesting and informative memoir entitled ‘Agrapathik’ was published. News from IBN News.
In the afternoon, the 50th anniversary program of Bangladesh Society was inaugurated at the terrace on the park at the same level as the main gate. Then the program started inside the main stage. The cake is cut on the main stage.
The program started with recitation from Holy Quran, Gita reading and national anthem of Bangladesh and USA. After that, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the martyrs of Bayanar Bhashya Andolan and the Great Liberation War of 1971. Besides remembering all the deceased officers of the organization with deep respect, special prayers were offered for the salvation of their departed souls. Jamil Ansari, social welfare secretary of the organization led the recitation and prayer from the Quran and Babu Prashant read from the Gita.

The artists of the cultural organization ‘Nrityanjali’ performed the opening dance with the song ‘Ami Banglaay Gan Gai’. Then Mohiuddin Dewan, convenor of Golden Jubilee Festival and Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Society, delivered the welcome speech. The society awards were given to 6 eminent individuals and institutions for their special contribution in various fields. They are- Former President of Bangladesh Society ‘Covid Hero’ Late Kamal Ahmed (posthumous) in social work, Syed Mohammad Ullah in journalism, Saidur Rahman Don in sports, organizer Kazi Azharul Haque Milan, cultural organizer Selima Ashraf, Mosharraf Hossain Khan Chowdhury in education extension and education support for the poor in BangladeshThe award was given to the giving organization The Optimists Inc.Late Kamal Ahmed’s award was accepted by his daughter Rumana Ahmed in the ceremony.
New York State Assembly member Jennifer Rajkumar awarded Bangladesh Society and its top officials special mementos for their special contribution to community service. Citations are also issued from the Queens Borough President’s office.
New York State Senators John C. Lew and Steven Raga, State Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar and Chief Advisor of the Golden Jubilee Celebration Committee and former president of the Society spoke at the Golden Jubilee ceremony. Mohammad Hamiduzzaman, Golden Jubilee Committee chairman and former president Dr.Mainul Islam Miah, Chairman of the Society’s Board of Trustees Shah Newaz, President Ataur Rahman Salim, General Secretary Mohammad Ali, Vice President and Joint Convener of the Celebration Committee Kamruzzaman Kamrul, Joint Secretary and Member Secretary of the Celebration Committee Abul Kalam Bhuiyan, Chief Coordinator Haroon Ur Rashid and othersofficial

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Also, four representatives of the new generation, including Engineer Mohammad Sadek, representative of the Queens Borough President, spoke. The episode of expressing the feelings of the representatives of the new generation caught everyone’s attention. Among them were Harvard University graduates Namira Mehdi and Victor Ghosh, business-administration majors from St. John’s University, Anika Jeba and Sheikh Anam, who graduated as lieutenants in the US Army. During their speech, they highlighted the upbringing and development of the traditional Bengali culture of their Bangladeshi parents in the United States. In the event, the representatives of the new generation were awarded by the society. The family of late police officer Bangladeshi-American Didar was also honored at the event.
Dr. former president of the society commemorated the event. M. Billah, former general secretary Fakhrul Alam, former acting president Abdur Rahim Howlader and others. The popular singers of Bangladesh, Badsha Bulbul, Kala Mia and Pratik Hasan, popular expatriate artists Rano Newaz, Shah Mahbub, Anik Raj, Kamruzzaman Bakul, Hasan Neelu and others performed music in the cultural program by popular artists. Popular expatriate presenter Sharmina Siraj Sonia conducted the entire program with the help of General Secretary of Bangladesh Society Mohammad Ali.
Speakers on the occasion thanked the present executive council officers for organizing the 50th anniversary celebrations of the society and highlighted various aspects of the long journey of the society. He said, Bangladesh Society today is a symbol of pride and unity of Bangladeshis living in the United States. The speakers said that the society has always been playing a leading role in protecting the art, culture, traditions and values ​​of Bangladesh abroad. The speakers hope that the new generation will build a more modern and effective Bangladeshi society by keeping this tradition, which will increase the status of the Bangladeshi community not only in the diaspora but also in the international arena.
In his speech, President Ataur Rahman Salim urged everyone to take the Bangladesh society forward with unity and love and expressed his determination to build a bright and proud society for the next generation. He expressed his gratitude to all present and former officers of the society for making the event a success.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Society, Shah Newaz said, after half a century, Bangladesh Society has reached a position which is a symbol of pride and love for all of us. This journey of fifty years is not just an organization but a collective success story of all expatriates. He appealed to all expatriate Bangladeshis to unite and strengthen the society and informed about the agreement to purchase the building of Bangladesh Society.
General Secretary Mohammad Ali said the society’s golden jubilee program will give impetus to the organization as a base for its centenary celebrations. The society will one day cross the boundaries of community and raise the status of Bangladeshis in the international arena. He also expressed gratitude to all concerned for making the event a success.
A commemorative book entitled ‘Agrapathik’ was published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Society. It was edited by Akhtar Babul, Literary Editor of the organization. The Managing Secretary was Riju Mohammad, Publicity Secretary of the organization.
A large number of expatriates including various district based organizations, community activists participated in the event. However, there was a dinner in the last episode. Many people complained that they did not get food. They complained about the event