The Bengali Society of Florida (BSF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the South Asian Indian community in Florida. For over four decades, BSF has been actively involved in various social and philanthropic initiatives, nurturing the Bengali immigrant community. BSF is working towards realizing their long-standing dream of constructing BSF Bhavan in the vibrant Orlando area of central Florida, connecting Central Florida residents with the essence of Bengal.
OUR VISION:
We aim to establish a Community Center that enriches its members and communities by celebrating our diverse cultural heritage. This includes:
- Providing educational resources across Central Florida to teach Bengali language, culture, tradition, and spirituality.
- Hosting cultural events showcasing Bengali and other Indian traditional and contemporary music, dramas, and dances.
- Organizing conferences and meetings to facilitate networking, learning, and personal and professional growth.
- Arranging seminars and symposia that unite Bengali youth and their Indian-American peers to explore the challenges faced by first and second-generation immigrants.
- Conducting fundraising events to support disaster relief and charitable causes.
OUR MISSION:
Our mission revolves around:
- Promoting awareness of Bengali ethnic identity and its rich cultural and spiritual heritage through year-round initiatives.
- Making a positive impact in the lives of underprivileged individuals.
- Building a close-knit community and fostering unity among people.
HISTORY:
· The Bengali Society of Florida (BSF) was officially established and registered with the Secretary of State on April 27, 1982. Its founding members included Anuradha and Sukumar Banerji, Mitra and Subroto Chandra, Ruby and Chitta Das, Sanghamitra and Asit Ghosh, Pampa and Amar Mukherjee, Deblina and Sujit Rudra, as well as Shyamali and Ratan Guha.
· On May 30, 1982, at Orange County Moss Park, BSF held its inaugural meeting, where the first executive committee, nominating committee, cultural committee, and study committee members were selected.
· The organization marked its first Durga Puja celebration on October 24, 1982, followed by a “Shubho Bijoya” event featuring a screening of Satyajit Ray’s film “Apur Sansur” at Valencia Community College (West campus).
· In its first year, BSF had 19 family members and a bank balance of $308.39.
· The Saraswati Puja was celebrated on February 19, 1983, at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center near Tampa, and this event led to more Bengali families in the greater Tampa area joining BSF, increasing the number of families to 32.
· In 2007, the Bengali Society celebrated its 25th anniversary, and during that year, the Durga Puja event expanded from a single-day celebration to a two-and-a-half-day event.
· BSF holds a 501(C)(3) non-profit status with the IRS and, in 2013, it obtained FL Sales Tax Exempt Status for the first time.
· In 2014, in partnership with the Cultural Association of Bengal, NY, BSF organized the North America Bengali Conference in Orlando at the Hyatt Regency Conference Center, North America Bengali is the largest Bengali conference outside of Kolkata, WB.
· On April 15, 2023, the Board of Trustees was formally included in the bylaws for the first time, and this change was passed with a majority of votes.
On April 15, 2023, the Board of Trustees was formally included in the bylaws for the first time, and this change was passed with a majority of votes.