Community News Desk: Little Bangladesh Avenue was originally supposed to be from 179th Street to 144th Street in Hillside. That is, from Hillside to the Long Island Expressway. And there was supposed to be a sign of Little Bangladesh in a few blocks on 169th Street, but it did not happen due to various reasons including politics of expatriate Bangladeshis.
Mohammed Tuhin, a mainstream politician and community leader, said: “I proposed to build 148th Avenue. Councilor Genario then offered to do it up to 144th Street, but in the end it didn’t happen. In fact, some people in our community are opposed to this avenue. They try to politicize it. Some wanted Bangabandhu Avenue and some wanted Ziaur Rahman Way. Bangabandhu’s followers are against Ziaur Rahman, and Zia’s followers are against Bangabandhu. I suggested that the avenue should be in the name of Bangladesh, not in anyone’s name. My proposal was from 179th Street Hillside to 148th Street. Ginario also asked where the problem is from 148 Hillside Avenue to 144th Street. I also have all the emails related to this.
He added that the sign on Little Bangladesh Avenue was supposed to be from Hillside Avenue to 144th Street. But I forgot to put the sign on the home loan. That mistake still remains. It has to be fixed.
Mohammad Tuhin said that Dilip Chauhan himself had said that he had proposed to make it Bangabandhu Avenue. A few more suggested the name. However, neither the mayor nor the borough office has much to do with the name. This is basically a matter for the community board. The matter is still pending due to disagreement among the board members.
Meanwhile, a Jamaican community leader said, “I have informed Councilor Genario that Little Bangladesh Avenue will be on the hillside, not homeloan.” The DOT was asked to put the sign in the right place but they have not done so yet. As far as I know, it is stuck because of the opposition of some people. They want it not to change. In other words, the much awaited Little Bangladesh Avenue of Bangladeshis is in a political quandary.
