[Assam] 28th Assam Convention held in Boston (The Assam Tribune, 19.07.2007)

[Buljit Buragohain]

              28th Assam Convention held in Boston
 GUWAHATI, July 18 — The 28th Assam Convention was held at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Boston, Massachusetts recently amidst much fan fare. There were many first-ever feats that the host committee accomplished during this convention. This was stated in press release. 

For the first time, the guests had the privilege to eat Assamese delicacies ‘masor tenga’ and ‘murighanta’ at an American Hotel. For the first time ever in the history of Assam Association of North America (AANA) conventions, the Chief Minister of Assam addressed the gathering in an attractive town hall forma meeting, where everyone got a chance to ask the Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi about their home State. The Chief Minister accompanied by AK Sachan, IAS and Hemanga Sarma, IAS answered questions on a variety of topics ranging from flood situation in Guwahati to NRI investment in Assam, education, AIDS/HIV etc. The Chief Minister received a warm welcome and was presented with a trophy for his dedicated service to the people of Assam by the Boston host committee president Pradeep Sharma and general secretary Pankaj Saharia. He also released the annual publication Luitor pora Mississippi published by Asam Sahitya Sabha of North America and AANA at the function. The Chief
 Minister’s wife Smt Dolly Gogoi was also felicitated.

The first ever Anima Chakravarty Chorus Competition was held after a small ceremony dedicated to the memory of the beloved artist. The Texas team bagged the 1st prize, followed by Boston and New Jersey teams. The competition was judged by the guest artists Smt Malabika Bora, Anirbaan Das and Smt Mridula Baruah. Smt Manjira Chowdhury and her daughter Samyami Chowdhury from UK sang the late artist’s songs during the programme.

Saturday’s dinner was served at the rooftop ballroom of the hotel overlooking the scenic Charles river and Boston skyline along with the historic Fenway Park. The cultural programme on Saturday night started with a chorus by the Boston kids. The other kids who also performed were: Lagan Barooah, Torali Fincke and Chandra Fincke: costumes, Pooja Sarma and Megha Boruah: dance, Jason Saharia and Priyanka Thakuria: Keyboards, Jishnu Talukdar: song, Anuj and Rishav Dutta: songs played on guitar, a skit of children learning Assamese from Kripa Borah, Anubhuti Deka and Tanvi Das: recitation, Megha Boruah: song, Suranjana Thakuria, Anjali Bordoloi and Ajay Bordoloi: dance. The other local artists were Mayur Barua: Piano recital, Samyami Chowdhury from UK: song, Alpana Barua: poem, Arup Goswami: electrc guitar. Rishi Chowdhury from UK enthralled the audience with his superb classical tabla recital. The guest artists Smt Malabika Bora and Anirbaan Das gave a splendid performance with
 their songs. In Addition, Ankur Bora on behalf of the Assam Foundation of North Ameirca (AFNA) gave a presentation on a project – Parijat academy. 

The second day began with a continental breakfast, followed by the general body meetings of the three sponsoring organisations of the convention: the Asam Sahitya Sabha of North America (ASSNA), the Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA) and the Assam Association of North America (AANA). The AFNA meeting was graced by Congressman Mr James McGovern. He explained about the opportunities and help available in the United States for taking up projects in Assam. 

The children were entertained by a clown/magic show in the morning.

The Sunday lunch was served with South Indian delicacies such as Idli, Dosa, Boda, Tamarind rice, lemon rice and was served on the riverside pavilion outside the hotel.

Afternoon proceedings included the Fashion Show led by Smt Jupitora Das of Harriasburg, PA and joined by more than 40 attendants. The ladies displayed unique traditional Assamese silk (muga, eri and pat) along with traditional assamese jewelry (gam kharu, jonbidi etc.). The gentlemen displayed Kurta Panjabi, dhoti. The kids also had fun taking part at the show. 

The seminar on ‘Empty nest syndrome for Assamese parents in North America’ was moderated by Dr Dilip Datta and was well attended. Another voluntary organization AID also did a presentation after the seminar.

An exhibition of the creative artwork by Jupitora Das was held on both days. Tez Hazarika, Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s son also attended the convention. 

The fashion show was followed by a wonderful dinner which consisted of goat curry, puri, salad, ‘masor tenga’ and ‘murighanta’ which will remain as the best meal ever served at any convention in the past.
   
  (The Assam Tribune,19.07.2007) 
            
























        
























  


       
---------------------------------
 Unlimited freedom, unlimited storage. Get it now
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.assamnet.org/pipermail/assam-assamnet.org/attachments/20070719/292d5624/attachment.htm>