Cadet College Club of North America’s Pitha Utshob

The Cadet College Club of North America (CCCIENA), consisting of former students of the 12 cadet colleges in Bangladesh, organized a Pitha Utshob (traditional cake festival) and get-together on March 2nd. More than half of the members of the American Legion Hall in Long Island attended the event, along with their families.

Among the nearly all cadet colleges in Bangladesh, former cadets from almost all colleges participated in the event. Of the 12 cadet colleges in Bangladesh, nine are for boys and two are for girls, and former students from both girls’ colleges attended the event. Although a female cadet from one college was associated with the Cadet College Club, she did not participate in this year’s event. Former cadets from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut attended the event in larger numbers.

Former cadets from Bangladesh have served in various positions in the armed forces before independence, and currently, many of them hold positions such as Defense Attachés at Bangladesh’s permanent mission to the United Nations and are engaged in various responsibilities in the United States. Professionals in various fields also joined the event. The cadets were allocated seats based on their college’s serial numbers. Dr. Khandaker Masud Rahman (CCCIENA), Colonel (Retd.) Akbar Mia (FCCI), Professor Dr. Yusuf (MCCI), and Dr. Hamiduzzaman (ARCCI) were the main speakers at the event.

Before Bangladesh gained independence, several cadets who studied at cadet colleges reminisced about their time at the event, speaking for two minutes each.

The event featured a Pitha Utshob, with traditional Bangladeshi cakes being served. Former female cadets and female cadets from the two girls’ colleges made 80% of the cakes. However, some brought ready-made cakes. Various types of cakes such as Bhapa, Puli, Pakon, Chitai, and Dudh Chitai satisfied cake enthusiasts. Everyone enjoyed the taste of homemade cakes. The cake makers were thanked at the event. Cakes were served from 7 PM to around 7:30 PM, allowing for skillful exchange and networking among the attendees. The event concluded with the cadets mingling.

Later, guests were invited to a dinner party where they were treated to various local and international cuisines.

A special segment was arranged for female cadets and wives of cadets at the event. In that 35-minute segment, they presented dances showcasing Bangladeshi culture and tradition, captivating the audience with their performances.

Those who prepared cakes were awarded prizes at the event, with the Club President Dr. Khandaker Masud Rahman announcing the awards. Female cadets received the awards to honor them, showing appreciation for their contributions.

Club President Dr. Khandaker Masud Rahman thanked the attendees and expressed gratitude to the President and General Editor Asaduzzaman for welcoming the guests and participating in the event. Club members also attended the event.

Dr. Khandaker Masud Rahman, the President of the Club, said that our cadets and female cadets are spreading across various countries, including the United States. Many of them are engaged in various professions after coming here from their homeland. They are excelling in teaching at universities, medicine, engineering, and other professions. Cadets serving in various high positions in the armed forces are also residing here.

The CCCIENA Club was established in 2018 and has been organizing the Pitha Utshob regularly since then. Besides the Pitha Utshob and get-together, they organize five to six other events each year. If cadets from Bangladesh need any kind of assistance, they help them. There is also a Cadet Club in Bangladesh, which is a much larger organization. They have over eight hundred members in the United States. They have members from various states in the United States. Generally, cadets come in larger numbers from nearby states. However, there are cadets from various states such as New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, Maryland, and Georgia.

The members thanked all the members of the management council for giving this beautiful evening gift. The guests returned to their respective accommodations with great joy.