BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN
Cumming, GA, February 13, 2026: Living in America has many advantages, but for Indian Americans, one of its greatest gifts is the ability to experience the diversity of India within a single American city. On any given weekend, one can travel across cultures, from Tamil traditions to Punjabi festivities, without ever leaving state lines. This time, the spotlight was on Bengali heritage in Atlanta.
Yet alongside this privilege comes a profound challenge: how to pass on centuries-old traditions to a generation whose passports are American, but whose cultural DNA remains deeply Indian. It is in this delicate balance that organizations like the Bengali Association of Greater Atlanta (BAGA) play a vital role.
Founded in 1979, BAGA has been serving the community for over four decades, carrying the responsibility of nurturing Bengali roots among Indian-American children and preserving language, literature, music, and faith across generations.
A Celebration of Wisdom and Community
On February 8, 2026, BAGA hosted its annual Saraswati Puja at Hendricks Middle School in Cumming, Georgia. The event drew an impressive crowd of 500+ attendees, bringing together members of the local Bengali community for a day steeped in devotion, tradition, and cultural pride.
The day began with traditional morning rituals and prayers, setting a spiritual tone for the celebrations. One of the most cherished moments was the Hathe Khori ceremony, symbolizing a child’s initiation into learning and writing under the goddess’s blessings—a powerful reminder of the bridge between heritage and future.
Labor of Love: A Home-Cooked Feast
A highlight of this year’s celebration was the community lunch, which carried a deeply personal touch as the meal was home-cooked at the President’s residence. In a true display of communal spirit, the preparation was a massive undertaking with numerous members volunteering to prep and cook throughout Saturday, with the dedicated team working through the night to finally finish at 2:00 AM Sunday morning. This labor of love did not go unnoticed, as the exceptional quality and taste of the lunch were widely appreciated by the members, further reinforcing the profound sense of “family” that defines the association.
Perspectives from the Community
Speaking exclusively with NRI Pulse, BAGA President Chaitali De emphasized the organization’s enduring mission. “Our mission is to promote and sustain Bengali cultural heritage through religious, cultural, and educational initiatives. Celebrations like Saraswati Puja create a sense of belonging and ensure that our traditions are passed on meaningfully to the next generation,” she said.
Partha Mukherjee, BAGA’s founding member, while speaking to NRI Pulse, highlighted the strength of volunteerism that sustains the association. He currently serves as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors for BAGA 2026–2027, reflecting his continued leadership within the organization.
Speaking exclusively with NRI Pulse, the Vice President of the BAGA Cultural Committee (BCC) Executive Committee, Krishanu Maity, shared the triumph of the event:
“They say ‘third time’s a charm,’ and our Saraswati Puja proved exactly that. Despite the challenges posed by the weather over the last few weeks, it gives us great joy to see that our members’ enthusiasm never wavered. Seeing the smiles, the vibrant attire, and the community coming together to seek the blessings of Maa Saraswati made every bit of the wait worth it.”
Subroto Majumdar, a BOD member, told NRI Pulse that events like Saraswati Puja act as cultural anchors for the Indian-American diaspora, helping families stay connected to their roots while building a strong sense of belonging in their adopted homeland.
Sumana Goswami, an active community member, spoke about the deeper cultural responsibility behind such gatherings. “BAGA is not just about organizing events, it is about shaping identity. Our children grow up watching, participating, and slowly understanding the richness of their heritage,” she said.
Mallika Ghosh Basu, reflected on the generational continuity fostered by the association, noting how her children now volunteer at the celebrations themselves—a full-circle moment for the community.
With a legacy spanning more than four decades, BAGA continues to uphold its philosophy of remembering the past while moving confidently toward the future, ensuring that in cities like Atlanta, Bengali culture not only survives, but thrives.
