On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the spirit of Bangla Noboborsho came alive at the Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), where over 5,000 people gathered to celebrate the grand Boishakhi Fair 1432, organized by BDExpats in Malaysia. The event was a vibrant reflection of Bengali identity on foreign soil with colorful traditions, cultural performances, and strong community spirit.
A Festival to Remember
The venue overflowed with joy, unity, and celebration as visitors experienced the following:
- Traditional dance, music, and poetry recitations throughout the day
- Delicious food stalls serving authentic Bengali cuisine
- A diverse marketplace offering sarees, crafts, books, jewelry, and more
- Games, a kids’ corner, and an exciting raffle draw featuring air tickets and special prizes
- The enthusiastic presence of both Bangladeshi and international guests reflects multicultural harmony
A Proud Moment for Google Local Guides
This Boishakhi Fair also served as the backdrop for a special Google Local Guides Meetup, where we:
- Introduced visitors to the Local Guides program and the Local Guides Connect platform
- Guided interested participants in signing up and contributing to Google Maps
- Documented the event through live photo uploads, accessibility details, and reviews
- Hosted a Local Guides booth in collaboration with Youth Hub Foundation — proudly managed throughout the day by fellow Local Guides
- Helped digitize the entire experience for future discovery by thousands around the world
Personal Involvement as Organizer & Host
As proud members of the Boishakhi Fair Organising Committee, both @PavelSarwar and I were involved in planning and executing every aspect of the event.
The day before the fair, we were at the venue overseeing stage setup, stall arrangements, and final logistics. On the event day, we arrived early to ensure everything was ready before the audience arrived.
During the formal segment, I was honored to serve as Master of Ceremony (MC) when the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Malaysia arrived. As part of the official welcome, we:
- Introduced the Boishakhi Fair Organising Committee
- Officially launched our community magazine
- And I recited a heartfelt letter written by National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam to Nargis, which deeply moved the audience and received warm applause.
Later in the day, Pavel** MCed **two major raffle draw segments, energizing and engaging the crowd. While coordinating the Local Guides stall, I juggled backstage assistance and hospitality duties throughout the day — a genuine team effort.
Spotlight on Title Sponsor & Raffle Draw
As part of the Boishakhi Fair, the title sponsor was CBL Money Transfer, a subsidiary of The City Bank Limited, Bangladesh.
They organized a special raffle draw, offering three return couple air tickets as prizes.
The presence of Mr graced the draw. Md. Saidur Rahman Farazi, Chief Executive Officer of CBL Money Transfer, was conducted by Pavel Sarwar, Executive Member of BDExpats.
End of the Day – A Heartfelt Reflection
The event officially wrapped up around 11:30 PM. Even after such a long and dynamic day, we stayed with our team to clean and organize the venue. Only after everything was completed did we step out to enjoy a well-earned meal — having spent the entire day without eating due to our responsibilities.
We returned home late that night — tired yet deeply fulfilled. The event was a resounding success. The joy on people’s faces, the heartfelt feedback, and the seamless blend of cultural celebration and community contribution made it all worthwhile.
Media Coverage & Community Impact
We are grateful that this event received wide media attention in Bangladeshi newspapers, television channels, and online news portals. It was recognized as a cultural celebration and a powerful symbol of unity, tradition, and digital engagement abroad.
A heartfelt thank you to all the Local Guides who supported us at the booth, every visitor who stopped to learn about Maps and Connect, and the incredible organizing team who worked together to make this celebration so impactful.
Bangla Noboborsho 1432 will forever be etched in our hearts.
Let’s continue celebrating culture, sharing knowledge, and mapping the world — one story at a time.
Television & Video Reports
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Bijoy TV
A vibrant video report highlighting the grandeur of the mela, featuring stage performances, cultural showcases, and interviews with participants.
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Ekhn TV
This coverage beautifully presented the festive spirit, community involvement, and the role of Bangladeshi expatriates in upholding cultural heritage abroad. -
Bangladesh Pratidin TV
Focused on the cultural richness and unity among the diaspora, this news segment featured glimpses of traditional dance, music, and the diverse crowd. -
SATV News
A detailed report emphasizes the fair’s inclusive atmosphere, youth volunteers’ engagement, and the positive representation of Bangladesh abroad.
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RTV
This feature highlighted key aspects of the event, from cultural displays to community stalls, portraying the vibrancy of the Boishakhi Mela. -
TNB24
TNB24 captured the emotional and festive moments of the day, offering a community-centered view of the mela and its organizers.
Written Newspaper & Online Articles
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Probasbarta
Title:* সম্প্রীতির জয়গানে মালয়েশিয়ায় বাংলাদেশিদের বৈশাখী মেলা
An in-depth article highlighting the cultural unity, participation of expatriates, and contributions of organizers and volunteers. -
Jagonews24
Title:* মালয়েশিয়ায় বাংলাদেশিদের ঐতিহ্যবাহী বৈশাখী মেলা
This piece celebrated the connection between tradition and digital community efforts, including Local Guides’ participation. -
NTV News (Facebook)
Visual feature on NTV’s page showing moments from the event and the enthusiastic participation of the crowd. -
Nagorik Songbad (Prothom Alo Citizen Platform)
Title:* মালয়েশিয়ায় বৈশাখী উৎসবের উচ্ছ্বাস
A story reflecting on the cultural harmony among the Bangladeshi diaspora and showcasing interviews with key contributors. -
Kalbela
Title:* মালয়েশিয়ায় বাংলাদেশিদের প্রাণবন্ত বৈশাখী মেলা
Covered the event focusing on heritage preservation, youth engagement, and cross-cultural participation.
. As a Local Guide I am very proud of you dear.