New York: The New York State will celebrate April 14 every year as the ‘Bangla New Year’s Day’. Senate has passed a Resolution proclaiming 14th April 2025 as ‘Bangla New Year’s Day’ in the state of New York, sources in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) here said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, New York state senator Luis R. Sepºlveda initiated the bill Wednesday, which was passed by the legislative body of the New York state. The resolution, known as Senate Resolution No. 234, calls upon Governor Kathy Hochul to officially recognize April 14, 2025, as Bangla New Year Day. It also acknowledges the significant contributions of the Bangla-speaking diaspora in New York.
The resolution highlights the historical origins of Bangla New Year, tracing back to the Mughal Empire in the Indian subcontinent. It is largely celebrated as a secular holiday, bringing together people from various faiths and backgrounds through music, dance, and fine arts. Furthermore, the resolution recognizes the Mongol Shobhajatra, a traditional mass procession by the University of Dhaka, as an intangible cultural heritage, categorized by UNESCO as a heritage of humanity in 2016.
The influx of Bangladeshi immigrants to the United States began in the late 19th century, with many seeking refuge from the economic and political challenges in Bangladesh, which gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. The resolution states that New York City became a prominent destination for these immigrants, with more than 10,000 Bangladeshis immigrating to the United States annually, half of whom reside in New York City.
The celebration of Bangla New Year has been vibrant in New York, especially in areas like Queens and Times Square, Manhattan. It has been celebrated with enthusiasm since the late 1990s and more recently in Times Square since 2022.