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Noman Sabit: Finally, the dream of Bangladeshis living in New York has come true. Local time on Sunday (March 26) on the 53rd Independence and National Day of Bangladesh, a street in Jackson Heights with a Bangladeshi population was unveiled with a nameplate named ‘Bangladesh Street’. Shekar Krishnan, the newly elected city councilman of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst area, who is of sub-continental origin, unveiled the nameplate of Bangladesh Street at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) former and present officials including leaders of various political and social organizations were present at the time. No government officials from the Bangladesh Embassy in New York were present as they were not properly invited.
For almost a year, the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) former and current officials have been carrying out social activities including contacting the New York City authorities for the naming of a street in Jackson Heights as ‘Bangladesh Street’ but none of them were allowed to speak at the opening ceremony. At times, various angers have arisen. Not only that, although the social, cultural and political leaders were present, Councilman Shekar Krishnan did not give them a chance to speak. Expatriates were shocked by this incident. Even Milan Rahman, a man involved in labor unions who does not live in Jackson Heights, was emceed. Which has caused a lot of anger among the expatriates present.
New York Congresswoman Grace Meng, Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz, Steven Raghab, Council Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Assemblyman Steven Raga, Council Member Linda Lee, JBBA Current President Harun Bhuiya and General Secretary Fahad Solaiman, among others, were present at the Bangladesh Street plaque unveiling ceremony. Another JBBA President Ghiyas Ahmed, General Secretary Tarek Hasan Khan along with hundreds of Bangladeshis were present on the occasion.
It is to be noted that in view of the long-standing demand of Bangladeshi expatriates in New York, on February 16, the decision to name ‘Bangladesh Street’ was taken at the general meeting of the councilmen, and later it was passed by a vote of 47-0. Since then, 37 Avenue 73 Street in Jackson Heights has been named ‘Bangladesh Street’. The decision number of the bill is INT 897.
The former and current officials of the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) are pushing for a road named ‘Bangladesh’ in New York’s Bangladeshi polluted Jackson Heights. JBBA’s current president Harun Bhuiyan and general secretary Fahad Solaiman urged Shekar Krishnan, the newly elected city councilman of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst area, who is of subcontinent origin, several times since July last year. Even before this, former and late leaders of JBBA, Syed Rahman Mannan, Pier Mohammad, Mohsin Noni, Gias Ahmed and Shahnawaz were all united in this demand.
In July last year, the former and current officials of the Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA).
JBBA’s current president Harun Bhuiya and general secretary Fahad Solaiman sent the proposal to New York City officials. As a result of their insistence, the concerned councilmen tried to pass the proposal.
Councilman Shekar Krishnan, Mayor Eric Adams, and Borough President Donovan Richards promised before the last election that they would implement the renaming if they won. But with the earnestness of Shekhar Krishnan and the demand and support of the leaders of Jackson Heights, the decision to name ‘Bangladesh Street’ was passed after about 6 months of preparation.
It is known that on Thursday, February 16, the bill to rename 129 Street in New York City was discussed in the meeting. One by one, proposals for renaming 129 streets were heard. Various streets or avenues have been renamed in all five boroughs. These are named after different communities from their respective countries or prominent individuals. A block of 73rd Street in Jackson Heights, the largest business center and cultural heart of Bangladeshi immigrants in New York City, has been named ‘Bangladesh Street’. In addition, Asif Rahman Way at the corner of 55 Road on Queens Boulevard in Elmhurst was named after the son of Lizi Rahman, a prominent Bangladesh community activist, teacher and writer. Asif Rahman died on the spot on February 28, 2008 when he was hit by a truck near 55 Road on Queens Boulevard while riding his bicycle home from work. This road was also named at the initiative of Councilman Shekar Krishnan.
Meanwhile, as in the list of 129 roads in the hearing, a road in Queens Borough was proposed to be named ‘Little Bangladesh Way’, the passed bill retained the same name. But it is not known which road is named as Little Bangladesh Way in which area according to the proposal of any councilman.
Notably, Councilman Shekar Krishnan is the Chair of Parks Committee of New York City Council. The Park Committee is also responsible for renaming R Street. For that reason, 6 months after being elected, he started making proposals to rename 73 Street as Bangladesh Street and 55 Road as Asif Rahman Way. For this reason why 73 Street should be named as ‘Bangladesh Street’. Eventually the Parks Committee accepted his proposal and held a hearing. It was accepted at a January 31 hearing and passed the full council on February 16 by a vote of 47-0. At that time, Councilman Shekar Krishnan made two excellent speeches in the City Council Chamber in favor of declaring 73 Street as Bangladesh Street and 55 Road as Asif Rahman Way.
BP/SM
