Our Association
Bengali Association of Calgary (BAC) is a charitable, non-profit, religious organization, registered under the act of Societies of Alberta on the 24th of April, 1978. The Corporate Access Number of the Association is 500 110 150. The association is awarded Charitable Status from Canada Revenue Agency effective from the 28th November, 2016
Bengali is one of the most spoken languages of the world. With about 250 million native speakers worldwide, it is the seventh most spoken language in the world by total number of native speakers. In 1999, the United Nations declared February 21 – the Bengali Language Movement day of 1952 – to be celebrated all over the world as International Mother Language Day.
BAC’s membership has steadily grown over the years with families from Calgary and other parts of southern Alberta at large representing a well-educated and established cross-section of immigrants – from West Bengal, India and various other parts of India and Bangladesh – who have made Canada their home. Members of this community have always blended well with general population while contributing the unique Bengali culture to the multicultural fabric of the Canadian society.
Hindus worship many deities as per “Vedas” – the sacred book of Hindu Religion – and other Hindu scriptures. The deities represent various cosmic powers and epitomize the virtues the mankind would like to imbibe and practise to make the world a great place to live in. The Bengali Hindus celebrate religious events in a festive manner marked by their own unique flavor that comes from hundreds of years old Bengali culture and heritage.
In keeping with the Bengali Hindu traditions, BAC celebrates “Pujas” of at least three Deities, namely, Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali and Goddess Saraswati every year. The word “Puja” means worship of Gods/Goddesses and involves offering Prasad (food), flowers and sweets; Puja is performed by a Priest. The dates for performing these religious celebrations are determined based on the Bengali Hindu almanacs.
As well, BAC participates in various volunteering activities, including, volunteering in collaboration with Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission and The Mustard Seed. BAC donates funds to well-known organizations, like, Canadian Red Cross and also carries out donation of clothes & goods. Members of BAC participate in blood donation and other community service programs on a regular basis.