The resolution was introduced at 11:15 a.m. by Senators Luis R. Sepúlveda, Nathalia Fernandez, and Toby Ann Stavisky.
Senator Stavisky noted that in multicultural New York, the Bengali community has made meaningful contributions to education, business, and cultural life. She said the resolution serves as recognition of those contributions. Her remarks were met with applause from fellow lawmakers.
Nearly 50 distinguished members of the Bengali diaspora attended the session and stood in ovation to mark the moment.
According to the resolution, New York Governor Kathy Hochul is formally urged to declare April 14 as “Bengali New Year Day” across the state.
The resolution highlights the Bengali New Year as a secular and inclusive cultural festival with roots in the agrarian economy of the Mughal era. Celebrated through music, dance, fine arts, and folk traditions, the festival brings together people of diverse religions and communities.
It also recognizes the strong cultural presence of Bengali-speaking people—one of the world’s largest linguistic groups—in New York. From the late 19th century to modern times, Bengalis have contributed significantly to education, research, business, healthcare, and literature in the United States.
Special mention was given to the Muktadhara Foundation for its three decades of cultural activities, including organizing Bengali festivals and book fairs. The role of its founder, Biswajit Saha, was also acknowledged.
The resolution concludes with a formal appeal to Governor Hochul to issue the declaration and instructs that a copy be sent to her office. Copies are also to be shared with Biswajit Saha and the president of NRB Worldwide, recognizing their contributions to promoting Bengali language and culture in the diaspora.
Following the formal proceedings, a cultural program began at 1:00 p.m. Music director Mahitosh Talukder Tapas opened the অনুষ্ঠান with Rabindra Sangeet. Senator Stavisky delivered a welcome speech, praising the efforts of NRB Worldwide and the Muktadhara Foundation in fostering Bengali culture in New York.
Additional remarks were delivered by Kallol Basu, Tofazzal Liton, and Mahitosh Talukder Tapas. In his speech, Biswajit Saha emphasized the goal of taking Bengali New Year celebrations beyond the expatriate community and into mainstream American society.
The cultural segment featured performances by child artist Bhasha Saha, singer Durga Khatriya, and Baul artist MD Shaheen Hossain, captivating the audience. Five special songs were presented under Tapas’s direction, and the hour-long program concluded with a collective rendition of the national anthem of Bangladesh.
Organized by the New York State Senate, the event was led by NRB Worldwide and Muktadhara Foundation. Bengali New Year celebrations under the NRB Worldwide banner began on April 11–12 in Times Square and Jackson Heights and concluded on April 22 in Albany.
With the adoption of this resolution, Bengali New Year moves closer to being officially recognized as a cultural observance in New York—marking a significant milestone for the Bangladeshi and broader Bengali community abroad.
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