Chhabed Sathee: Naming of roads after Bangladesh in the United States is increasing day by day. One by one roads in different regions are being named ‘Little Bangladesh’ and Bangladesh Boulevard. Four areas have been named ‘Bangladesh’ so far.
The announcement of the naming of Brooklyn’s Bangladeshi-dominated Church-McDonald intersection as Little Bangladesh brings the number of Little Bangladeshs in the United States to three, and several streets are also named Bangladesh Avenue and Boulevard.
Local time on Sunday (October 16) in the Brooklyn municipality of New York, USA, a road has been named ‘Little Bangladesh’. Shahana Hanif, District 39 Councilor of the New York City Council and Chairman of the Immigration Committee of the City Council, unveiled the new Little Bangladesh nameplate for Brooklyn Church McDonald Road, a Bangladeshi-dominated area of New York.
Shahana Hanif shared her feelings saying, I was inspired from my childhood by seeing my father’s Little Bangladesh restaurant and thought that if I ever get a chance I will rename this Charge McDonald Road as Little Bangladesh. The people of this area voted for me and elected me as a councillor, so I am proud to fulfill my dream.
She said, today on this great day we have created a history for future generations. Consul General of Bangladesh Dr. Monirul Islam said, I give special thanks to Councilor Shahana Hanif today on the eve of celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and America. Consul General of Bangladesh in New York Dr. Monirul Islam, Attorney Moin Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh Society Abdur Rob Mia including New York City officials spoke at the event.
During the unveiling of the nameplate, prominent people from the Bangladeshi community in New York were Kazi Ashraf Hossain Nayan, Dr. Pradeep Kar, Dr. Masudul Hasan, National Committee Member of Democratic Party and Chairman of Bangladeshi American Democratic Front Khorshed Khandaker, Abul Hashem, Refayet Chowdhury, Abu Taher, Kazi Shakhawat Hossain Azam, Chandan Dutta, Abdur Rob Mia, Zahid Mintu, Annie Ferdous, Khaleda Khanam, Shassuddin Azad, Engineer Farooq , Feroz Ahmed, Anwar Hossain, Mohammad Haider and Monir Ahmed were present at this time.
A New York City bill was unanimously passed by the City Council at the initiative of Bangladeshi Councilor Shahana Hanif. The proposed bill (0880-2022) was passed by the City Council on July 14 with a vote of 47-0. As a result, the Church-McDonald junction was announced as Little Bangladesh.
On International Mother Language Day on February 21 this year, the intersection of Jamaica Hillside Avenue and Homelon Street in Queens, New York City was unveiled as Little Bangladesh. Brooklyn’s Church-McDonald’s Little Bangladesh naming announcement has named two areas in New York as Little Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) has taken the initiative to build a road called ‘Bangladesh’ in Jackson Heights, New York’s Bangladeshi area. Organization officials have already sent proposals to New York City officials. Officials said efforts are being made to pass the proposal.
In 2010, an area located between Third Street and Alexandria Avenue in Los Angeles, California, United States was recognized as ‘Little Bangladesh’ by the Los Angeles city authorities. It is the heartland of people of Bangladeshi origin living in the city.
In 2019, the name of the Union Avenue road in Paterson City, New Jersey, USA was changed to ‘Bangladesh Boulevard’. On June 22, 2019, the road was officially named Bangladesh Boulevard.
BP/SM
