The Bihar Diwas 2026 celebration was held at the Consulate General of India New York April 19, 2026, bringing together dignitaries, community leaders, and members of the Indian diaspora to celebrate Bihar’s heritage, progress, and future vision.
Emceed by Komal Sharan who welcomed everyone the event commenced with a message from Chief Secretary of Bihar Pratyaya Amrit, who addressed people of Bihar and those of Bihari origin living across the globe. He emphasized that “Bihar is ready for transformation,” and called upon the global community to actively contribute during this pivotal time. He assured interested in being engaged that government departments were committed to accountability,and any issues identified in development efforts would be acknowledged and addressed transparently, a press release from Bihar Diwas organizers said.
Industry Secretary of Bihar and CEO of Bihar Foundation, Kundan Kumar, reinforced the vision with the message “Bihar Hai Taiyar” (Bihar is ready to take a leap forward). He highlighted progressive initiatives such as new GCC policies, industrial growth, and the state’s readiness for transformation, urging the global Bihari community to contribute toward making Bihar a leader across sectors.
Alok Kumar, chairman of Bihar Foundation USA – ETZ, spoke about the Bihar Government’s focused and proactive efforts in advancing artificial intelligence through the establishment of a Center of Excellence. He highlighted the government’s strong commitment and forward-looking approach toward AI-driven development. He also extended a warm welcome to Mahesh Kumar, founder of Tiger Analytics, and Badrish Prakash, acknowledging their leadership in executing this initiative in collaboration with the Government of Bihar and the Government of India. He noted that this partnership has already begun to make a meaningful impact, marking a significant step in Bihar’s technological transformation.
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Alok Kumar further emphasized the strong support and leadership of Chief Secretary of the Government of Bihar, Pratyaya Amrit; Industry Secretary, Kundan Kumar; and IT Secretary, Abhay Kumar Singh, along with the valuable guidance of Chanchal Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Government of India, in creating meaningful opportunities for the youth of Bihar.
He also expressed deep appreciation for the honorees of the Bihar Vishwa Gaurav Samman 2026—Saroj Kumar Jha, Hasmukh Ranjan, Rajesh Sinha, and Sanjay Choubey—noting that all four awardees have made unparalleled contributions in their respective fields. He highlighted that their achievements serve as a powerful inspiration for millions and strengthen the community’s commitment toward contributing to their motherland.
Alok Kumar also thanked the Deputy Consul General of India, New York Vishal Harsh and COO of Parikh Worldwide Media Ilayas Quraishi for attending the event and extended special gratitude to the organizing team, including Anish Kumar, Dheeraj Singh, Dhananjay Singh, Anand Gupta, Sanjeev Singh, Anurag Kumar, Alok Kashyap, and Santa Mishra, for their dedicated efforts behind the scenes. He further acknowledged the executive members of BJANA and the Bihar Foundation for their continued commitment and outstanding work.
The event also included the release of the book “Gaon Ki Mitti Mitne Nahi Deti” by Santa Mishra, which deals with the deep bond between individuals, their roots, and the community.
Bihar’s cultural heritage was displayed with the performance of an iconic folk song “Kaune Disame Le Ke Chalah Hai Batohiya” followed by traditional celebrations such as Sama Chakeva and songs popularized by Sharda Sinha, vividly portraying the lifestyle and cultural richness of Bihar.
India’s Consul General Binaya S. Pradhan, addressed the gathering. He remarked that “almost everyone has a friend from Bihar,” reflecting the global presence of people from the state. He spoke about Bihar’s glorious past, its evolving present, and its promising future, while congratulating organizations such as the Bihar Foundation and BJANA for their impactful work in strengthening community ties. He also highlighted the historical significance of Nalanda University, noting that it had a system of co-education long before such practices were adopted in many other parts of the world.
Community leader Avinash Gupta encouraged attendees to move beyond assumptions about Bihar, highlighting significant improvements in infrastructure and development, while acknowledging that there is always room for further growth.
President of BJANA Priti Kashyap, emphasized the importance of unity within the community and the need to engage and empower the next generation.
A highlight of the evening was a skit performed by participants of all age groups, depicting Bihar’s journey—from the era of Emperor Ashoka and the legacy of Nalanda University, to Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran movement, and culminating in modern advancements such as AI development in Bihar. It received a standing ovation.
The Bihar Vishwa Gaurav Samman awards ceremony was conducted by Vandana Jha. Recipients expressed their gratitude and addressed the audience. They included: Saroj Kumar Jha; Rajesh Sinha; Sanjay Choubey; and Hasmukh Ranjan.
The event concluded with a group photo session coordinated by Anish Kumar and his team, followed by networking and celebration among attendees.