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Published : 25 Apr 2026, 01:46 AM
A resolution calling for the declaration of Apr 14 as “Bangla New Year Day” has been adopted in the New York State Senate on Apr 22.
The recognition from Albany marks a grand end to a three-day Bangla New Year celebration in the state.
The resolution was introduced in the New York State Senate session at 11:15am local time by Senators Luis R Sepúlveda, Nathalia Fernandez and Toby Ann Stavisky.
While delivering her speech, Senator Stavisky said that Bengalis are playing an important role in education, business and culture in multicultural New York and this resolution is a recognition of that contribution.
After her speech, the assembly erupted in applause in support of the members present. About 50 prominent expatriate Bengalis were present at the event, who gave a standing ovation to mark the occasion.
According to the main proposal of the resolution, Governor Kathy Hochul has been called upon to declare Apr 14, 2026, as “Bangla New Year Day”.
The resolution noted that the day has its origins in the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent and described it as “largely a secular holiday for most celebrants and enjoyed by people of several different faiths and backgrounds through music, dance, and fine arts”.
The resolution recognised the contributions of Bengal’s “leading lights”, like Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, as well as Bangladeshi immigrants to New York City and the rest of the United States.
“Countless Bangla speaking Americans have enriched America across multiple fields like arts, business, education, healthcare, and literature; some of the leading names in these fields are Abhijit Banerjee, Vishaan Chakravarti, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Amar Gopal Bose, among many others,” it said.
In particular, the three decades of cultural activities of Muktadhara Foundation and the tradition of Bengali festivals and book fairs have been recognised.
At the same time, the role of the founder of the organisation, Bishwajit Saha, has also been noted. In the conclusion of the resolution, Governor Kathy Hochul has been formally called upon to declare Apr 14, 2026 as “Bangla New Year Day” in the State of New York.
The Bangla New Year has been celebrated in different parts of New York City since the 1990s and in Times Square since 2022, the resolution said.
After the formalities of passing the resolution, a cultural programme began at 1pm. The program began with Rabindra Sangeet performances led by music director Mahitosh Talukder Taposh.
Senator Stavisky delivered a welcome speech at the programme. She said that NRB Worldwide and Muktadhara Foundation are playing a unique role in the development of Bengali language and culture in New York. NRB Worldwide Vice President and Festival Stage Manager Dr. Kallol Basu, General Secretary Tofazzal Liton and Music Director Mahitosh Talukder Taposh also spoke at the event. The president of the organization said in his speech, “We want to establish the Bengali New Year celebration beyond the boundaries of expatriate Bengalis and establish it in the mainstream society of America.”
The Bangla New Year celebrations under the NRB Worldwide banner began on Apr 11 and Apr 12 in Times Square and Jackson Heights in New York City and concluded with a closing ceremony on Capitol Hill in Albany on Apr 22.
