NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ (TIP): The Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) hosted its Golden Jubilee Celebration and Bihar Conclave during the Memorial Day weekend at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The two-day event was a grand showcase of the rich culture, heritage, and global success stories of Bihar and Jharkhand, spotlighting the journey of the region and its dynamic diaspora.
The theme of the event, “Celebrating Legacy, Inspiring the Future,” resonated throughout the conclave as it united participants from North America, India, Europe, Costa Rica, and beyond, making it one of the most significant diaspora gatherings for the region to date.
Seen in the picture, among others are : Alok Kumar (2nd from the left), Dr. Avinash Gupta (Immediate Past President of BJANA) Sanjeev Singh, President of BJANA, Prof. Indrajit S Saluja , and Harvender Pal Singh (extreme right).
A Confluence of Icons, Innovators & Global Leaders
The inaugural ceremony on May 24th was graced by Hon. Binaya S. Pradhan, Consul General of India in New York (Chief Guest of BJANA 50th year of celebration ),who commended BJANA’s efforts in showcasing the accomplishments and potential of Bihar and Jharkhand’s people across the globe.
Among the standout guests and speakers:
- Dr. Kris Singh – Founder & Chairman, Holtec International
- Hasmukh Ranjan – Chief Information Officer, AMD
- Anand Kumar – Padma Shri awardee, Founder, Super 30
- Amit Choudhary – COO, Thoughtwork
- Manoj Agarwal – Co-founder, DevRev
- Priya Choudhary – Vice President, HR, Wipro
Rohit Prasad – SVP Amazon
Kumar Prashant – CEO, Mareana
- Kailash Kher – Global music icon and Grand Finale performer
- Sweta Singh – Managing Editor, AajTak
- Akshara Singh – Popular Bhojpuri star and singer
- Bishakh Jyoti – National Award-winning composer (The Kerala Story)
- RJ Anjali – Beloved media personality from Patna
- Saroj Jha – Global Director, World Bank Water Projects
- Prof. Niraj Jha – Princeton University
- Prof. Alok Chaturvedi – Purdue University
- Neeraj Agarwal – Founder, Nutanix & Co-founder, DevRev
- Prof. Udita Sanga – Tufts University
- Smita Ekka – CUNY
- Mr. Sudesh Mahto – Former Deputy CM, Jharkhand
Inspiring Messages from Trailblazers
Anand Kumar, the visionary behind Super 30, emphasized the importance of community building and educational empowerment:
“BJANA’s journey is symbolic of what we can achieve when we stay united and work toward uplifting others. Like Super 30, BJANA is about enabling potential.”
Dr. Kris Singh, a pioneer in the field of nuclear energy, spoke passionately about giving back:
“Bihar gave me my roots—America gave me my wings. It is time for us, the diaspora, to become bridges of opportunity between both.”
Hasmukh Ranjan, CIO of AMD and a rising global executive, inspired young attendees with his vision:
“This community represents limitless potential. Let’s mentor, invest, and scale our collective impact across industries and continents.”
Program Highlights
- Diya Lighting & BJANA@50 Tribute Film
- District Flag Parade representing every district of Bihar and Jharkhand
- Women Empowerment Panel – featuring Sweta Singh, Akshara Singh, RJ Anjali
- Youth Cultural Showcases – highlighting the dreams and talent of the next generation
- Healthcare & AI Summits – led by diaspora professionals
- Startup & Investment Conclave – with Shark Tank-style pitches and investor panels
- Leadership Dialogues – from academic, tech, and development sectors
- Grand Finale Performance – Kailash Kher and Kailasa Band brought down the house
- Special musical segment by Vaishali Jyoti and late-night DJ & networking socials
Cultural & Tourism Pavilion
Attendees were immersed in the traditional arts, heritage, and tourism potential of Bihar and Jharkhand:
- Showcased Madhubani and Sohrai art, tribal jewelry, and local textiles
- Promoted tourism to destinations like Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Netarhat, and Deoghar
- Connected artisans with investors and entrepreneurs from the diaspora
- Enabled dialogue around sustainable tourism and local economic revival
A Truly Global Gathering
With over 700 attendees, the conclave drew participation from California, Michigan, New England, Canada, London, Australia, and more. A special delegation from Bihar, led by Dr. Satyajit Singh, reflected strong support from the homeland and emphasized ongoing partnerships.
BJANA President Sanjeev Singh’s Reflections
“This event marks not only 50 years of BJANA but 50 years of dedication, unity, and relentless spirit of our community. From our founders to our future leaders, every generation has contributed to this vibrant story.”
“I thank our global diaspora and the Governments of Bihar and Jharkhand for their support. This is just the beginning—let’s continue to rise together.”
About BJANA
Founded in 1975, the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and philanthropic collaboration between India and its global diaspora. BJANA serves as a beacon of unity, progress, and pride for thousands of families across North America.
Learn more about BJANA:
Website: www.bjana.org
Email: info@bjana.org
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