[Assam] AXX’s UK unit 10th annual meet held (The Sentinel,02.08.2008)

[Buljit Buragohain]

AXX’s UK unit 10th annual meet held 

GUWAHATI, Aug 1: The 10th annual meet of the Asom Xahitya Xabha UK (AXXUK) took place on July 26 at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Southgate North London. 
President of the Asom Xahitya Xabha (ASS) attended as the chief guest together with a litterateurs’ delegation. The Indian High Commission was represented by Rajesh Kumar Srivastava, the Deputy Director of the Cultural Wing the Nehru Centre, together with people from remote corners of the UK and Asom. This was stated in a press release.
Earlier the Sabha flag was hoisted by Probin Hazarika. The chief guest and the litterateurs’ delegation were received and ushered into the venue with greetings of dhul-bartal at the gate.
The sahitya session started after the distinguished guests were introduced and greeted with phulam gamuchas. 
Before Chiro Senehi Mor Bhasa Janani sung in chorus to start the function a minute’s silence was observed for the eternal peace of the departed souls of near and dear ones who lost their lives in the past year.
The ASSUK President Gagon Hazarika welcomed the distinguished gathering, outlining the aims and objectives of the AXXUK and highlighting the ex-patriots’ concern about the problems in their motherland and the role of the AXX. 
After poems were recited by Srimati Nirala Baruah, Srimati Surovi Lahon, Probin Hazarika, Srimati Dhira Hazarika, and Srimati Anandita Goswami and presentation of the annual reports of the Secretary, the Treasurer and a speech from the AXXUK vice-president Srimati Barthakur, the chief guest delivered his speech and an ‘interaction’ session began with him.
The Chief Guest in his own speech gave an account of his own contributions to the development of the Sabha’s activities, implementation of the Assam Official Language Act, acquisition of land for the Sabha buildings, raising the standards of the ethnic languages of Assam and efficient financial management.
This included the reply to the points raised by Gagon Hazarika, Dr Nilmani Sikdar and Dr K Lahon. 
Replying to Dr Lahon, Deka replied that like the capital of the European Union operating from Brussels, London could be the catalyst for starting more branches of the xabha in the rest of the world, by keeping in touch with their friends there. 
He also informed the gathering that the proposed ASS University will be a research institute facilitating all the ethnic groups in the Northeast, details of which are yet to be worked out, and there is no shortage of funds in establishing it.
Taking the cue from the report by the Treasurer, Deka said, “Philanthropy is not a virtue much practised by the Asomiya like other Indians, say, Bengalis, Punjabis, Gujaratis etc. Charity begins at home”, observing thus, Deka who was joined by the other guests Padmashri Surjya Hazarika, Dr A Sharma, Dr K Ahmed and P Hazarika who donated altogether £420 towards a proposed Namghar, a si´ne qua non for the Asomiya expatriates in the UK. 
The highlight of the occasion a milestone in the cultural history of Asom as volumes of literary works on two of Assam’s greatest artistes namely Dr Bhupen Hazarika and Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha were released in the presence of the chief guest, Deka and the members of the delegation distinguished educationists, writers and journalists to name a few Padmashri Surjya Hazarika, Dr Anil Sharma, Dr Kutubuddin Ahmed, Dr Eva Hazarika and others who accompanied the President from Asom. 
There were in all two anthologies, the first is in three volumes: ‘Dr Bhupen Hazarika Rachanawali’. 
The second is ‘Bhinna Jonor Dristit Bishnuprasad Rava’, a compilation of articles by no fewer than 200 authors on various aspects of the Kalaguru’s life and work. 
The learned editor of both these publication is Padmashri Surjya Hazarika who introduced the books. 
The book on Dr Bhupen Hazarika was formally released by Srivastava, and the book on Bishnu Prasad Rabha was released by Bhuban Baruah, the Founder- president of AXXUK. 
Later a documentary on the life of Dr Bhupen Hazaraika – ‘Bihangam Dristrit Dr Bhupen Hazarika’ was shown to an enthralled public in a packed hall before the cultural function began.
Srivastava spoke very highly about Dr Bhupen Hazarika and assured that cultural items from Asom could be included for presentation in the London Nehru Centre. 
He responded to Srimati Barthakur’s comment about the involvement of the young generation which he said that the parents’ role is vital – it is the parents who could inculcate their culture in them best and no one else.
The cultural function began with a Jyotisangeet sung in chorus where Surovi, Manjira, Geeta, Puspa, Nirala, Babli, Geeta, and Khogeswar, Nilmoni, Tarun and Anjan took part.
Solo songs were sung by Mamoni, Surovi, Samyami and Kamal and dances were presented by young Aniya, Shibanee and Nirala and mono acting by Tarun. Rishi supported on tabla, Anjan on guiter and Mitam on projection of the documentary. 
The vote of thanks was offered by Manjira Chowdhury.
 
(The Sentinel,02.08.2008)




      Get an email ID as yourname at ymail.com or yourname at rocketmail.com. Click here http://in.promos.yahoo.com/address