Launched in 1991 by Muktadhara in a small auditorium in Brooklyn, New York Bangla Boimela (book fair) has earned an iconic status among Bangla book lovers and literature enthusiasts. Led by Bishwajit Saha, a journalist and writer, the book fair has grown in leaps and bounds in the past three decades. From a day-long event, it has grown to be a four-day event. It brings together writers, poets, journalists and book lovers from all parts of North America. The fair is best known for the attendance of major writers from Bangladesh and West Bengal and participation of most popular publishers from both Bengals. It showcases the best writings of the year and awards a literary award for lifetime achievement. Past winners of the award include: Nirmalendu Goon, Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Dilara Hashem, Selina Hossain, Samaresh Majumdar, Dr. Ghulam Murshid, Asad Chowdhury, Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, Pabitra Sarkar and Dr. Abdun Noor.