Thirty years ago, there were hardly 50 Bengalis in this same area, and among friends they used to celebrate New Year, Saraswati Puja, Picnic and Bijoya Dashami.
In 1972, Pragati, the Bengali Association of the Greater Philadelphia area was formed by the Bengalis of this area, and it was incorporated as a not-for-profit association in 1977. Currently, Pragati has nearly 80 life members and over 200 regular members and friends.
Some of the past events and activities of Pragati are highlighted below:
General Body Meeting on Feb 22, 2003, Bangla School.
Saraswati Puja on Feb 8th, 2003 in Penndale Middle School, Lansdale.
Annual picnic 2002, on August 25th, 2002.
Community Outreach program: Fairmount Park cleanup drive on May 18th, 2002.
Sunil Gangopadhyay's "Prothom Alo" on May 12, 2002. A historical dance-drama depicting the Bengali renaissance period and the lives of great souls who played a major role in it.
Pragati has been involved in helping people in distress through the donation of money, clothes, food and medicine in USA and India. It includes annual food drives where we collect canned food from the members to contribute to a local Hospice. Toys to Children's Hospital and distribution of blankets to the homeless and needy are a regular feature during the Holidays.
It has sponsored numerous professional Bengali singers, musicians, writers and politicians as part of it's cultural activities over the last three decades.
Saraswati Puja on February 16, 2002 at Newman Center, Drexel University.
Pragati is a member of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Membership ID # 11-12454. Please make your tax exempt charitable contributions at work through this ID.
Members and friends contributed $4500 to American Red Cross, NY Disaster Relief Fund, after the September 11 terrorist strikes.
Pragati donated $4500 to Bharat Sevashram Sangha in India in support of their Earthquake relief efforts in several districts of Gujarat in 2001.
Kali Puja on November 17, 2001 at Pennfield Middle School, Hatfield, PA.
Durga and Lakshmi Puja on October 20, 2001 at Newman Center, Drexel University, Philadelphia
Picnic on September 01, 2001 at Lower Perkionmen Valley Park, 101 New Mill Road, Oaks, PA-19456
Saraswati Puja on February 03, 2001 at 4-H Foundation,1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville, PA-19426
Donated $1500 to Bharat Sevashram Sangha in Calcutta in support of their flood relief efforts in several districts of West Bengal and Bangladesh in November, 2000.
In our community here in Philadelphia, we continued our canned food collection drive for Philabundance.
Pragati contributed toys for infants, toddlers, and adolescents to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Durga Puja on October 7 and 8, 2000 at 4-H Foundation, 1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville, PA-19426
Lakshmi Puja on October 14, 2000 at 4-H Foundation, 1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville, PA-19426
Picnic on August 05, 2000 at Green Lane Park, Upper Frederick, Upper Hanover, PA
Bengali Nababarsha on April 14, 2000 was celebrated at Pennfield School, Lansdale.
Lakshmi Puja on October 30, 1999 at Gwynned Square Elementary School, Lansdale, PA
Durga Puja on October 23 and 24, 1999 at Towamencin Fire Hall, Kulpsville, PA
Basbhumi, a drama by Sayak was organized by Pragati in association with Bengali Cultural Society, South Jersey on July 11, 1999.
Unishe April, a critically acclaimed movie by Rituparno Ghosh, was shown at Lang Performing Arts Center, Swarthmore College on March 7, 1999.
Participated in Biswa Banga Sammelan in Calcutta, 1999-2000.
Celebrated first Kali Puja in 1998.
Hosted the 17th Banga Sammelan at Valley Forge Convention Center during July 18-20, 1997. The theme of this conference was "From Generation to Generation: The Legacy of Bengal" Over 7000 Bengalis attended this annual cultural event.
300th Birth Anniversary of Calcutta was celebrated in Bryn Mawr College in 1992. Exhibitions, seminars and a banquet were organized to celebrate this occasion, which was attended by hundreds of people.
A Bangla School was started at Wyndham House, Bryn Mawr College.
Pragati was actively involved in "Mahamaya Exhibition" at Port History Museum (1986-87). Craftsmen and artisans of Bengal demonstrated their skills and techniques in various crafts during this six-month long exhibition.
Pragati's members took part in "Festival of Children" at Please Touch Museum.
It staged cultural events at Philadelphia Museum of Art during the exhibition of "Manifestation of Siva" 1983.
It was a part in American Way 1978.
Pragati took part in Freedom week 1977.
It participated in the American Bicentennial in 1976.
Pragati celebrated its first Durga Puja on October 1974 at the Church of the Saviour, 38th and Chestnut Streets on the actual puja days.
Helped "Friends of East Bengal (1972) to claim its freedom.
Birth of Pragati, 1972.
