News Desk: “Bangladesh Day” was celebrated on March 23 at the New York State Senate in Albany, marked by the vibrant presence of Bangladeshi expatriates carrying red-and-green flags. The annual observance coincides with Bangladesh’s Independence Day and has been held in Albany for the past 14 years.
Earlier, on March 10, the New York State Senate passed a resolution recognizing Bangladesh’s Independence Day. The resolution mentions Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the architect of independence and also notes that Ziaur Rahman broadcast the declaration of independence on his behalf via radio in 1971.
The document, signed by State Secretary Alexandra N. Paulino and proclaimed by Governor Kathy Hochul, officially recognizes March 26 as Bangladesh’s Independence Day in New York State. Copies of the resolution were distributed among attendees.
To mark the occasion, members of the Bangladeshi community departed from the Bangla Bazar area in the Bronx early in the morning and traveled to Albany. Upon arrival around 11:00 a.m., they were joined by State Senators Luis Sepúlveda and Nathalia Fernandez in a brief rally in front of the Senate building, holding “Bangladesh Day” banners. A photo session followed in the lobby, where Assemblywoman Karines Reyes also participated. A luncheon was later hosted for attendees.
A short program was held on the Senate floor in honor of the Bangladeshi community. Speakers included Senators Sepúlveda, Fernandez, John Liu, and Assemblywoman Reyes, who addressed issues concerning Bangladesh and the diaspora. Several individuals were recognized with awards for their contributions to community service.
The cultural segment featured performances by Bangladesh Academy of Fine Arts (BAFA). Following the performances, leaders of the organizing committee delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the event.
At around 3:30 p.m., the “Bangladesh Day” resolution was formally read during the Senate session. Senator Fernandez presented a brief history of Bangladesh’s independence, referencing the March 1971 crackdown known as Operation Searchlight, the nine-month Liberation War, and the sacrifices made by the Bangladeshi people.
Several lawmakers, including Senators Sepúlveda, Liu, Jessica Ramos, and Robert Jackson, spoke during the session. They praised the contributions of the Bangladeshi community to the overall development of the United States and highlighted Bangladesh’s humanitarian role in sheltering nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees.
Organizers stated that “Bangladesh Day” is a special initiative by the state to honor Bangladeshi Americans, with participation from people across political lines.
Notably, the “Bangladesh Day” resolution was first passed in the New York State Senate on March 24, 2012, through the efforts of former Bronx Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., with support from community leaders and attorney Luis Sepúlveda, widely known among Bangladeshi expatriates as “Luis Bhai.”
