Little Bangladesh Avenue, street co-naming ceremony ২১শে ফেব্রুয়ারি ২০২২
On the occasion of International Mother Language Day on February 21st 2022, a street co-naming ceremony took place at the intersection of Homelawn Street and Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, Queens NY.
New York City Council member James F Gennaro, along with other leaders and community members inaugurated the new street name- Little Bangladesh Avenue, to celebrate the Bangladeshi community and their various contributions to the Borough of Queens.
Disciples of Sri Chinmoy rendered the Bangladeshi and American national anthems, as well as Ekusher Gaan - Amar Bhaier Rokte Rangano আমার ভাইয়ের রক্তে রাঙানো.
On this day 70 years ago in 1952, students of University of Dhaka demanded that Bangla be included as state language. The then Pakistan military opened fire on the peaceful demonstration of the students, killing many, while 5 of them have been recognised as Language Martyrs by thhe Government of Bangladesh. Since then this day has been observed to pay tribute to the martyrs, and to celebrate mother tongue. Later in 1999 UNESCO declared it as International Mother Language Day.