By Our Correspondent:
Amid the lush greenery, the shade of pine forests, and a picturesque natural setting, the Greater Binghamton Jalalabad Association hosted its annual picnic and community gathering with great enthusiasm and excitement. The event, held on Sunday, July 12, in the beautiful hill town of Binghamton, New York, brought together nearly 500 Bangladeshi community members from different areas.
The day-long celebration began with breakfast distribution, followed by a vibrant gathering filled with conversations, laughter, cultural exchange, and nostalgic memories among expatriate Bangladeshis. In the late afternoon, a brief discussion session, an entertaining cultural program, and an exciting raffle draw were arranged as part of the festivities.
The program was presided over by Kalam Uddin Ahmed, President of Greater Binghamton Jalalabad Association, and conducted by General Secretary Layek Mia. The chief guest was prominent real estate entrepreneur and investor Moinul Islam, President of New York Jalalabad Association.
Special guests included Ataul Gani Asad, General Secretary of New York Jalalabad Association; renowned realtor and Treasurer Moynu Zaman Chowdhury; acclaimed children’s author and publisher Humayun Kabir Dhali; Editor of Khobor.com and writer Shibbir Ahmed; journalist Mahfuzur Rahman; Assistant Editor of Weekly Bangla Gazette Md. Abul Kashem; local realtor Mainul Islam Monu; and noted journalist Shibli Chowdhury Koyes, among others.
The event was organized with the overall support and supervision of the association’s Founder and Chief Advisor Belal Hossain Belal. During lunch, traditional and delicious cuisine from the popular Nirob Restaurant of the Bronx was served to the attendees.
The day’s activities included a Holy Quran recitation competition for children, age-based races, a musical pillow passing competition for women, and various sports events for adults. The cultural segment in the afternoon featured renowned folk singer Kala Mia, whose performances captivated the audience. His renditions of timeless songs by legendary Bengali folk icons Baul Samrat Shah Abdul Karim and mystic poet Hason Raja brought a special charm to the gathering. He was accompanied by well-known New York percussionist Shafique Mia on drums.
The much-awaited raffle draw concluded the event. Tickets were sold for only $5, with attractive prizes including a gold chain, an 85-inch LED television, a laptop, and other valuable gifts.
Binghamton: An Emerging Bengali Community Hub
Located about three and a half hours by road from New York City, Binghamton is a peaceful and scenic city in Broome County, situated along the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers. With a population of approximately 47,969 and an area of 11.13 square miles, the city had very few Bangladeshi residents just a few years ago. However, in recent years, nearly 3,000 to 4,000 Bangladeshi immigrants have made Binghamton their permanent home.
Affordable housing, a safe environment, and a peaceful lifestyle have made the city increasingly attractive to Bangladeshi families. A growing number of Bangladeshi-owned businesses, including grocery stores, restaurants, and real estate brokerage firms, have already been established in the area.
Governed by Republican Mayor Jared M. Kraham and the city council, Binghamton is also recognized for its educational opportunities. The prestigious Binghamton University is located in this city, while the renowned Ivy League institution Cornell University is only about an hour and fifteen minutes away.
For those seeking a clean, quiet, and family-friendly environment away from the hustle and bustle of major cities, Binghamton is emerging as an attractive destination for the Bangladeshi diaspora.
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