Jahangirnagar University Alumni Association USA Holds Inauguration and Winter “Him Utsav” in New York
The Jahangirnagar Alumni Association of America celebrated the inauguration of its newly elected 2026–2027 committee along with the university’s traditional Him Festival in New York. The colorful event took place on Saturday, November 22, at a local party hall, where former students of Jahangirnagar University gathered to reminisce and enjoy cultural festivities.
Meghna Pal from the Statistics Department was elected president, and Prashanta Mallik Ayon from the Philosophy Department became the general secretary. Other key positions included vice presidents Mohammad Rahman Polin, Mohammad Nasirullah, Litu Anam, Durre Maknun Naboni, and Tamanna Shobnom Papri; joint secretaries Afroditi Panna, Ashish Ghosh, and Roni Bhoumik; organizational secretary Subrata Pal; publicity secretary Tanzil Mahmud; information and communications secretary Rabeya Bhuiya; treasurer Zobayer Hosni Fahad; associate treasurer Rajesh Roy; cultural secretary Sharmin Akter Rexona; assistant cultural secretary Mifat Nayar; planning and event coordinators Rizia Farhana Khan and Nasir Uddin Bhuiya; sports secretary Shahriar Kabir; assistant sports secretary Ibrahim Rakib Babu; literary secretary Ruhul Amin; assistant literary secretary Faima Rahman Jui. Executive members included Maristela Ahmed Shyamli, Shomit Mondol, Shamim Ara Begum, Badiuzzaman Roni, Nafiza Nowaz Simki, Mostofa Sharmin, Rafia Khan Lusi, Jerin Rafia Shashi, Jannat Ara Sony, and Sourav Kapali.
The advisory board consisted of Ekramul Karim, Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Ashutosh Saha, Aktar Ahmed Rasha, Khaled Monir Joseph, Milton Zaki, Sujit Pal, and Habib Rahman.
The Him Festival featured vibrant winter-themed activities, including joint musical performances, a variety of traditional winter sweets like pitha and payesh, an alpana art workshop led by sculptor Aktar Ahmed Rasha, puppet-making, handicraft activities, and an art exhibition for children and teens. The event also included winter-themed songs by the Jahangirnagar generation and recitations from Taymur Shahriar’s manuscripts by Mohammad Nasirullah, delighting the audience. Storytelling using popular cartoon characters Mina, Raju, and Mithu added a nostalgic touch for attendees of all ages.
Welcoming remarks were given by sculptor Aktar Ahmed Rasha, Moniruzzaman Monir, Ashutosh Saha, Farzana Sathi, and others. Outgoing president Shamim Ara Begum and general secretary Tamanna Shobnom Papri thanked the alumni for their support and successful collaboration over the past two years. Advisor Ashutosh Saha administered the oath to the newly elected committee.
Special guests included Shah Alam (president) and Ruhul Amin (general secretary) of the Dhaka University Alumni Association, Fateh Nur Alam (president) of Rajshahi University Alumni Association, and Sabina Nihar (president) and Mir Kader Rasel (general secretary) of Chittagong University Alumni Association. They congratulated the newly elected committee and expressed hope for joint efforts to promote Bengali language and culture among the diaspora.
The event was overseen by outgoing general secretary Tamanna Shobnom Papri, and the program was hosted by Afroditi Panna and Durre Maknun Naboni. This gathering of Jahangirnagar alumni abroad demonstrated that, even thousands of miles away, the love, memories, and culture of Jahangirnagar University remain strong in their hearts.
