DHAKA, Sept 25, 2020 (BSS)- An elaborate programme has been drawn up to observe Bangladeshi Immigrant Day in New York today commemorating Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s speech in Bangla at the United Nations.
The day is going to be observed for the second time this year after the New York State Legislature declared September 25 as the Bangladeshi Immigrant Day, said a press release here yesterday.
New York State Governor Andrew Mark Cuomo gave a message on the eve of the day.
In his message, Cuomo termed the day as a historic one saying Bangladeshis among multilingual people have been playing an important role to build society in New York as well as in the United States.
Besides, Bangladeshis are enriching America through their culture, history and heritage, he added.
Muktadhara Foundation, which works with Bangladeshi community in New York in the field of arts, culture, and ethnic awareness, arranged different programme on the eighth day of a 10-day virtual Bengali book fair.
New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, who placed the proposal of Bangladeshi Immigrant Day, Senator John C. Liu and Congressman Grace Meng are joining the programme of Muktadhara Foundation.
A documentary on declaration of Bangladeshi Immigrant Day will be screened at 9pm (New York Time) on September 25. In the second part of the programme, a discussion will be held.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will join it.
Bishawjit Saha, the founder of the Muktadhara Foundation in New York who had lobbied for the adoption of the resolution for declaration of Bangladeshi Immigrant Day, will conduct the programme.
On January 20 last, State Secretary Alejandra Paulino published a copy of the proclamation by Governor Andrew Cuomo ahead of Bangabandhu’s birth centenary celebrations.
The state senate renewed the resolution when it was placed on January 9.
On February 27, 2019, a Senate bill ‘Bangladeshi Immigrant Day,’ initiated by New York state senator Stavisky was passed unanimously by the legislative body of the New York state.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu gave a speech in Bangla at the 29th UN General Assembly for the first time in history on September 25 in 1974.