25 Years of Cultural Endeavor in Exile: A Radiant Revival of Bangladeshi Heritage at ‘Bahnishikha’s’ Silver Jubilee Celebration in New York,USA

Progga News:

Bahnishikha Sangeet Niketan is the name of a tireless effort to spread the essence of Bangladesh’s language, literature, music, and culture around the world. Rooted deeply in the hearts of expatriate Bangladeshis in New York, the organization celebrated its glorious 25th anniversary with grandeur. On April 27, a dazzling ‘Silver Jubilee’ celebration was held at Queens Palace Auditorium in New York City, where melody, rhythm, recitation, narration, and love came together to create an unforgettable evening.

The program began by paying tribute to the 3 million martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. With a moment of silence and the national anthems of both countries, the event stirred deep emotion throughout the venue. The program was hosted by Munmun Saha.

Bahnishikha artists performed “Aguner Parashmoni Chhoao Prane” and “Esho He Boishakh” in chorus, welcoming the Bengali New Year. Not just the New Year, Bahnishikha celebrates International Mother Language Day, Independence Day, Victory Day, Pahela Falgun, Boishakhi Festival, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Martyrs’ Day, and all other national and historical occasions of Bangladesh with great honor every year. These events play a crucial role in instilling the history, culture, and heritage of Bangladesh in the new generation growing up abroad.

On this day, Kazi Maryam, representative of New York State Assemblyman Steven Raga, presented an honorary citation to Bahnishikha. In recognition of the organization’s tireless work over two and a half decades, founder, president, and CEO Dr. Sabita Das was honored with flowers. Waves of congratulations, floral greetings, and heartfelt messages filled the auditorium.

Additionally, the cultural performances included captivating presentations of music, dance, recitation, and storytelling by Bahnishikha artists. Participants included Runa Roy, Shakila Runa, Dr. Ruma Chowdhury, Souvith Chowdhury, Aruna Saha, Hasina Afroza Hashi ,Sushmita Halder, Parijat Das, Shila Chandra, Sushil Sinha, Chandana Bhattacharya, Syed Ahmed Babla, Farzeen Swarna, Anushka Sengupta, Dr. Kamrul Islam, Soma Rozario, Iman Biswas, Julie Khastegir, Munmun Saha, Deepak Das, Ayesha Khan, Pradip Kundu, Kumar Smita, Ankita Biswas, Athra Ghosh, Sudeshna Saha, Asmita Mondal, Anamika Chanda, Rayashi Biswas, Mithi Barua, Purna Chowdhury, Saptarshi Banik, Pooja Das, Prina Nandi, Srijita Hiya, and Willy Nandi. The entire event was directed by Dr. Sabita Das herself.

Various service booths were set up in the auditorium, transforming the event into not just a cultural but also a major platform for social interaction. As the event neared its end, guests were treated to traditional pithas and Bengali delicacies, enhancing the festive Bengali ambiance.

Special guests who gave greetings and remarks included journalist and freedom fighter Lablu Ansar, Dr. Prabhat Das (Chairman of United Hindus of the USA), freedom fighter Abul Bashar Chunnu, scientist and author Dr. Dhananjay Saha, Professor Nabendu Dutta, community leader Mohammad Faruk Ahmed, Rowshan Ara Faruk, Jasim Chowdhury, Bhajan Sarkar (President of United Hindus of the USA), Bishnu Gopal (General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and community leader), Dr. Mita Chowdhury, Dr. Gobinda Pal, Ramdas Ghorami (General Secretary of United Hindus of the USA), journalist Sakhawat Hossain Selim, Uttam Kumar Saha (Chairman of Pragya Foundation and Editor of Pragya News), and cultural organizer Sabina Hai Urbi.

Speakers said, “Through Dr. Sabita Das’s patience, dedication, and wisdom, Bahnishikha has earned a special place deep in the hearts of expatriate Bangladeshis.”

In her closing remarks, Dr. Sabita Das expressed her gratitude and said,
“Every New Year heralds new possibilities. Let us leave behind sorrow, fatigue, and despair and move forward toward hope. May our future be built on the strength of culture, humanity, and heritage. Even in this multicultural society, we will carry the heartbeat of Bangladesh with pride.”

Bahnishikha and Dr. Sabita Das’s shining commitment to preserving Bangladesh’s culture abroad and passing on its values and pride from generation to generation finds a historic expression in this Silver Jubilee celebration. Undoubtedly, it has created an enduring cultural bond between old and new generations of expatriate Bangladeshis.

Dr. Sabita Das further said,
“Boishakh means a call for new possibilities. Let life be peaceful, dignified, and illuminated on the path of progress. Let our future be built with the power of culture and humanity. Bahnishikha will continue to carry the torch of Bengali language and culture on foreign soil.” She called on everyone present to continue supporting Bahnishikha in the future.

Bahnishikha’s 25-year contribution to spreading Bangladeshi culture, language, and history across generations abroad is undeniable. The celebration of this Silver Jubilee in New York gave rise to a new conviction — that the legacy of Bangladesh’s land, people, spirit, and culture will remain vibrant, even in exile.