73rd Street in Jackson Heights is now Bangladesh Street

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73rd Street in Jackson Heights which houses a lot of Bangladeshi businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, and newspaper offices, will now be called “Bangladesh Street.”

The street name was unveiled in a special ceremony onsite on Sunday, March 26, 2023, by NYC Council Member Shekar Krishnan District 25 of Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, who was instrumental in putting forth the proposal to the City Council Administration, in the presence of other local political leaders, members of Jackson Heights Bangladeshi Business Association (JBBA) and community leaders. Also present at the event were elected officials Congresswoman Grace Meng

State Senator Michael Gianaris, State Assemblymember Steven Raga, State Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, State Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas, and City Council Member Linda Lee.

M.M. Shaheeen, editor of ‘Thikana’, the well-known Bangla newspaper, told Desi Talk that March 26 was the 52nd anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence, and the unveiling of the street named ‘Bangladesh Street’ was appropriately held on that occasion. 73rd  Street in Jackson Heights is Bangladeshi business area. The businesses are open 24 hours. “It is a street that never sleeps,” said Shaheen. The street also hosts several cultural and community activities. “It is called the intersection of Queens. Asians of every Asian country live in this area,” Shaheen said.

Getting a street renamed takes a long time. Many members of the community had long been wanting for a place in Jackson Heights to reflect the vibrant Bangladeshi community and have requested Council Member Krishnan since he started in office. Council Member Krishnan had met his colleagues and city officials regarding the proposal. The proposal became a decision (INT 89) at the February 16th meeting of the City Council.

Unveiling the street name, Council Member Shekar Krishnan, who is also the New York City Parks and Recreation Committee Chairperson, tweeted, “Bangladesh Street” is more than a name. It’s the recognition of a community whose power is growing stronger each day. Today, on Bangladesh’s 52nd Independence Day, a street in #JacksonHeights is forever changed. 73rd St will celebrate Bangladesh tomorrow & every day after.”

Krishnan went on to add, “From our taxi workers to small businesses, to media and politics, our Bangladeshi community is a force. I stand on the shoulders of many uncles, aunties, siblings without whom I wouldn’t be here. With this street naming, the voices of our Bangladeshi community echo across NYC.”

Congresswoman Grace Meng, who participated in the event, tweeted, “Celebrating Bangladesh Independence Day in #JacksonHeights with a street co-naming in honor of our vibrant #Bangladeshi American community in Queens. 73rd Street and 37th Avenue will now also be known as Bangladesh Street. I thank @CMShekarK for working to make this happen.”

Speaking on the occasion, JBBA General Secretary Fahad Solaiman said, ‘A street in New York City is named after Bangladesh, (and) it makes me proud.” Shaheen said that the 73rd street between 37th Avenue and Broadway renamed as Bangladesh Street was definitely a matter of pride for all Bangladeshis. “Bangladeshis are recognized as an important community, and that is not just a matter of pride, but is also a heartening fact,” he said. The month long Bangladesh Heritage month has brought general awareness about the contributions of the Bangladeshi community in areas of retail, hospitality and transportation businesses, and their contribution to the local economy. Another Street in Jamaica, NY, was renamed ‘Bangladesh Avenue’ earlier, and Stalling Avenue in the Bronx was renamed ‘Bangla Bazar Avenue’.