The Indian Panorama

Tag: Bishwanath Sharma

  • Bhagalpur’s Celebrated Maldah Mangoes Reach New York in First-Ever Direct Shipment

    Bhagalpur’s Celebrated Maldah Mangoes Reach New York in First-Ever Direct Shipment

    Collaborative effort led by Upajguru, Government of Bihar, APEDA, and Bihar Foundation brings India’s prized mango variety to the U.S.

    NEW YORK (TIP):  In a landmark moment for Indian agriculture and diaspora pride, the very first direct shipment of Maldah (popularly known as Langra) mangoes from Bhagalpur, Bihar has successfully arrived in New York City, USA. This historic initiative was made possible through the collaboration of Upajguru, an agri-supply chain innovator, the Government of Bihar, APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), and the Bihar Foundation USA East Coast Chapter.

    “It’s a dream come true,” said Mr. Ravi Soni, Founder of Upajguru. “Transporting a perishable fruit like Maldah mango across continents is no small feat. But with belief, technology, and community support, we made it happen. This isn’t just about mangoes—it’s about building bridges between farmers and global consumers.”

    Upajguru tending the mango trees.

    A Powerful Collaboration

    A basket of Bhagalpur’s celebrated Maldah Mangoes

    The successful arrival of these mangoes was the result of tireless coordination across institutions and borders:

    • Shri Nitish Kumar, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Bihar, and Shri Nitish Mishra, Hon’ble Industries Minister, for their forward-thinking support.
    • Shri Kundan Kumar, CEO of Bihar Foundation, for seamless coordination between Bihar and the diaspora.
    • APEDA, for ensuring compliance, certifications, and critical logistics that enabled international export.
    • Mr. Nimesh Rai, the dedicated farmer from Bharatam Vatika, whose orchard in Bhagalpur produced the mangoes with care and organic practices.
    • The U.S.-based support team of Abhishek Kumar, Lata Shree, and Bishwanath Sharma, who oversaw final delivery and local outreach.
    • Alok Kumar, Chairman of Bihar Foundation USA East Coast, whose vision and community mobilization were instrumental in bringing the project to life.

    “This shipment was more than fruit crossing borders—it was emotion, culture, and identity wrapped in every box,” said Alok Kumar. “After years of trying to get Bihar’s mangoes to the U.S., it finally happened thanks to the determination and dedication of Upajguru and every hand that helped.”

    Community Support Was the Key

    This effort succeeded because the Indian-American community—especially Biharis—stood behind it. Hundreds pre-ordered mangoes, supported logistics, and promoted the initiative across states. Even with increased transportation costs and the risks of spoilage, the community’s trust and enthusiasm helped make this trial a success. 

    What’s Next

    While this was a pilot run, its success has paved the way for future scale. Plans are underway to increase volume and improve the cold-chain infrastructure for the 2026 season. 

    A Salute to the Farmers

    Above all, deep gratitude goes to the farmers of Bihar—especially Mr. Nimesh Rai of Bharatam Vatika—whose devotion to the land and to their mango trees made this export possible. Their quiet dedication is now being tasted and celebrated halfway across the world.

  • BJANA is gearing up for its 50th-anniversary celebration, with the newly elected president Sanjeev Singh

    Sanjeev Singh brings a wealth of experience to his new role as President of BJANA

    NEW YORK (TIP): The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) recently elected its new leadership for the 2-year term from 2024-2025. Sanjeev Singh, who has served BJANA in various capacities including as Secretary, and as Vice President, has been elected as the new President of BJANA. The other office-bearers include Priti Kashyap as Vice President, Sushant Krishen as Secretary, Vandana Kumar as Joint Secretary, and Priya Ranjan as Treasurer. Additionally, the elected executive members are Dr. Avishek Kumar, Akhilesh Azad, Sarika Dubey, Dipen Banerjee, Rahul Sahay, Ranjeet Kumar, Anish Anand, Bishwanath Sharma, and Saloni Sah. Under the leadership of the past president, Anurag Kumar, BJANA achieved significant milestones and provided valuable services to the people of Bihar and Jharkhand in the USA, and in India. Sanjeev Singh expressed his gratitude to Anurag Kumar for his guidance, and the opportunity to serve the community.

    Anurag Kumar congratulated the newly elected president, Sanjeev Singh, expressed confidence in the new team, and wished them success. The BJANA Election Commission, consisting of Late Dr. Anil Kumar, Ranjit Sinha, and Rakesh Kumar, also congratulated the new team and the young leaders.

    Several community leaders, including Dr. Avinash Gupta, Dr. Binod Sinha, Dr. Sudhanshu Prasad, Shashi Sinha, Rajiv Akhaury, Bhawesh Choudhary, Anjali Prasad, and Vinay Singh, extended their congratulations to the new team, and wished them well. Alok Kumar, the past president of the Federation of Indian Association, and a BJANA member, also conveyed his congratulations, and best wishes to the newly elected team.

    Sanjeev Singh, born and raised in Bokaro Steel City with roots in Vaishali, Bihar, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. With a management and finance background, he has spent close to two decades in the USA, working with global consulting organizations, and serving Wall Street financial services firms. Despite living abroad, Sanjeev has remained connected to his roots, has actively participated in various community activities, and implemented many new ideas, including mentoring BJANA’s new generation and summer camp, working with local philanthropic organizations, building welfare partnerships in Bihar and Jharkhand, and establishing collaborations with local businesses in the USA to raise funds for BJANA’s charitable causes, and events.

    The BJANA team for 2024-2025

    As the newly appointed President of BJANA, Sanjeev Singh is excited to concentrate on enhancing the community’s youth development network, building a robust professional network, backing entrepreneurs, and startups in the USA. Further, fostering collaboration with colleges, and universities in Bihar & Jharkhand, and actively participating in community development initiatives related to economy, education, and health will also be on the radar. Established in 1975, BJANA boasts of a rich history of devoted service to the Bihar and Jharkhand communities in North America. With Sanjeev Singh’s passion for a revitalized vision focused on nurturing a stronger sense of community, the organization is steadfast in its commitment to continuing its philanthropic efforts. It’s noteworthy that the organization has set an ambitious goal to celebrate its grand golden jubilee, marking 50 years of service, and community engagement. The aspiration to have participation from all over North America indicates a desire to unite and involve a broad spectrum of individuals who share a connection with Bihar and Jharkhand.