Pitha Festival in New York

The Pitha Festival titled 'Hridoye Mamo Bengali o Bangladesh' was held on Sunday evening, February 2, in the Bronx, New York City. Despite the snowfall and bitter cold, the festival, attended by hundreds of men, women, and young people, was organized by a newly formed organization called 'Uttaran, New York'. 

Former Commissioner Rabiul Islam presided over the event, which was attended by people imbued with Bengali spirit regardless of party affiliation. The chief guest was Abdul Khalek, Executive Director of Sarah Homecare. In his welcome speech, he thanked the organizers and said that the importance of such an event is immense and it will contribute to energizing the community. Among the special guests were freedom fighter Saidur Rahman Shelly, Engineer Badal, Anwar Hossain, Haji Khabiruddin Bhaiya, Iqbal Hossain, Saidur Rahman Lincoln, M Hossain, Monirul Alam Dipu, Julie Rahman, Mrs. Badal, Ashraf Hossain, Akhtaruzzaman, Zahurul Islam, Taslima Patwari, Nurul Islam Milon, Shafiqul Islam. 

The Golden Palace Party Hall in Parkchester, a Bengali-dominated area of ​​the Bronx and famous for its Banglabazar Avenue, was filled to the brim as 30/35 types of pitha were distributed to everyone. The overall support for the event was provided by Moniruzzaman Monir, Reza Abdullah, Nurunnabi Naveen, Masud Kabir Rasul, Rupchan Mia, Al Mamun Sarkar, Sujauddaulah Chowdhury Shamim, Mahbubur Rahman Shaheen, Selim Reza, Humayun Kabir, Salahuddin Ahmed Kabyo, Enamul Haque Khan Biplob, Sultan Ahmed, Abu S Ashrafuddaulah Liton, Rafiqul Hasan Safi, Abdur Rahman, Mominul Islam, Abul Hossain, Samiul Islam, Abbas Ali, Ashraful Alam, Muktar Hossain and others. The musical performance was provided by Tanvir Shaheen, Sharmin Tania, Alvan Chowdhury and Shashi. 

There was no traditional stage to keep the atmosphere of the Pitha festival from being drowned out by the speeches. Nor did anyone except the president and the chief guest speak. However, all the guests were greeted with flowers and applause. In this way, many have commented that the newly formed 'Uttaran, New York' has been able to present its direction to everyone, at least to some extent. Millions of expatriates have settled in the Bronx borough of New York City. With the expansion of business and commerce, the fruits of Bengali culture are also flowing. The expatriates who gathered at this festival, held with the special support of 'Sarah Homecare' and Golden Palace, also mention that the importance of this event is immense in making it flourish further.