The 33rd Fobana Convention 2019 was held in New York at LaGuardia Marriott Hotel Convention Centre from 30 August to 01 Septembe
r 2019. The Federation of Bangladesh Associations in North America (USA and Canada) is the apex organization, vows to create awareness for expatriate Bangladeshi Communities, especially to new generations about the culture and heritage of their homeland, Bangladesh. Every year during the long weekend in the last week of August, Fobana arranges a three day convention where seminars are organized to motivate the expatriate to think positively about their homeland, Bangladesh.The inaugural ceremony of Fobana 2019 was held in the evening of 30 August. Mr. Sadeque Hossain Khoka, a valiant Freedom Fighter, Former Minister and Mayor of undivided Dhaka City Corporation inaugurated the convention. In his speech, he praised the efforts of the Steering and Organizing Committees for successfully arranging this grand event. He also urged the Bangladeshi communities to be working forcefully and strongly for the greater interest of the country and organize Fobana under a unified platform.
Professor Jasim Uddin Ahmad, Former Vice Chancellor, Jahangir Nagar University, a Special Guest, Shah Newaz, Convenor and Firoz Ahmed, Secretary of the Convention Organizing Committee, Mohammad Hossain Khan, Chairman and Kazi Azam, Secretary Fobana Steering Committee, Atiqur Rahman Salu, former Chairman, Dara Abu Zubair, Ex-Chairman and Ali Imam Sikder, former Secretary, Fobana Steering Committee and Morshed Alam, Chief Adviser, Fobana Convention Committee amongst others were present in the dais during the inauguration.
Prof. Jasim Uddin Ahmad presented his keynote address in the concluding session of the convention, held in the evening of 1st September 2019. He highlighted the progress made by Bangladesh in various sectors, pharmaceuticals, readymade garment and also mentioned the failures in different sectors. He said that Bangladesh will be a frontline victim of Global warming. Prof. Ahmad requested the expatriate communities to help Bangladesh in its journey of progress. He specially urged the alumni of different universities to help their institutions to fulfill their objectives as a gesture to repay some debt to the Nation.
Four seminars were held on themes relevant to Bangladesh. The Seminar on “River, Climate Change and Environment” was held in the evening of 31st August. Professor Dr. Jasim Uddin Ahmad was the chief guest in this important seminar. Dr. Kh Masudur Rahman acted as the moderator and presented his paper. Atiqur Rahman Salu, Chairman, International Farakka Committee, IFC, NY spoke in his opening address about diversion of River water by upper riperian-country India and highlighted the activities of International Farakka Committee for creating awareness in national and international levels. Abdus Salam, former Deputy Mayor of undivided Dhaka City Corporation also spoke in the seminar. Prof Jasim Uddin Ahmad urged for a Basin-wide Water Sharing Treaty as the region-wide solution. From the seminar recommendation arose that, a Regional River Commission formed under the supervision of United Nations would usher a new era of cooperation amongst the countries of the Ganges-Brahmaputra- Meghna basins, comprising Bangladesh, India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. The seminar was largely attended.
A colourful souvenir was published on the occasion of 33 rd Fobana Convention which was edited by Famous Journalist of New York Mainuddin Naser.
The Fobana 2019 was a great success with vibrant cultural programmes: songs and dances, magic show, poetry recitation. Lots of famous artists from Bangladesh and North America participated. The convention centre was fully occupied all the time by cross section of audience which includes intellectuals, Journalists, Poets, Artists, Doctors, Engineers, Business Persons, Youths, Students and Housewives. It was a grand get-together, “Milon Mela” of thousands of Bangladeshi facilities from all over North America and Canada. In conclusion it could be said with emphasis that Fobana Conventoion 2019 at New York LaGuardia Marriott Hotel Convention Centre was a grand success. – Press release
