Bangladeshi community gears up to welcome Tarique in New York

Expatriates are brimming with enthusiasm ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s arrival in New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with the Bangladeshi diaspora making extensive preparations to give him a warm welcome.
The excitement is particularly visible in Jackson Heights, a hub of the Bangladeshi community, where streets and prominent locations have been adorned with banners, posters and festoons ahead of the prime minister’s arrival. 
Individuals and community groups are also arranging various programmes. Much of the organised activity has been led by leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated and associated organisations.
They have held a series of preparatory meetings and coordinated across Bangladeshi-populated areas of New York to chalk out the welcome programme. The preparations have also focused on maintaining discipline during planned programmes at the airport and in front of the UN headquarters.
According to community sources, 34 preparatory meetings have so far been held involving the USA BNP, its affiliated and associated organisations and former party leaders.
At a meeting in Jackson Heights last Thursday, BNP leaders and activists discussed arrangements for the prime minister’s arrival in New York. 
The USA and New York State BNP, Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal, Labour Party and other affiliated and associated organisations have displayed banners welcoming the prime minister.
Individual expatriate Bangladeshis have also put up posters and banners, some featuring images of Tarique Rahman, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.