[Assam] Magh Bihu in Delhi

[Manoj Das]

Thanks dada! Its growing by the year here,,

On Mon, Jan 17, 2011 at 10:27 PM, Dilip Deka <dilipdeka at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Manoj,
> Congratulations, you guys did it on a grand scale.
> We Houstonians celebrated on a lot smaller scale at a park near Johnson
> Space Center. Despite the all day rain, we had a Meji in an urn inside a
> park shelter. The sixty odd participants brought the Bhwg (as in Bhwgali) in
> the form of Bora Saul/Doi/Gur, Pitha, Tilor Laru, Masor Tenga etc. Since it
> was wet and cold outside, we had to give up on outdoor activities and fun.
> Keep it up.
> Dilipda
>
> --- On Mon, 1/17/11, Manoj Das <dasmk2k at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: Manoj Das <dasmk2k at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Assam] Magh Bihu in Delhi
> To: "A Mailing list for people interested in Assam from around the world" <
> assam at assamnet.org>
> Date: Monday, January 17, 2011, 10:38 AM
>
>
> *January 17, 2011*
>
>
>
> Magh Bihu Celebrations in Delhi
>
>
>
>
>
> Assam Association, Delhi celebrated the Magh Bihu Festival with traditional
> fervour at the Central Civil Secretariat Grounds at Chanakyapuri on
> 16thJanuary. The celebrations began with
> *Uruka* (the eve) which was celebrated on Saturday, 15th January.
>
>
>
> A grand *bihutoli* was set up elaborately along with a stage for the 1200
> guests. The *bihu bhoj* (feast) was prepared throughout the night with
> chefs/cooks toiling to churn out the tastiest *masor tenga jul*, *murhi
> ghanto*, chicken curry, *bengena bhaja*, *payax* etc. *Ghila pitha*
> and *Bundiya
> Bhujiya*, which are typical Assamese snacks, were arranged to give the feel
> of being back home. A ‘*meji*’ was erected with bamboo and firewood, and to
> be set afire on Sunday morning to bid goodbye to the harsh winter of Delhi.
>
>
>
> Early on Sunday morning the Association’s flag was unfurled by Dr. Ranjit
> Baruah, President. The Assamese patriotic song “*O Mor Aponar dexh… O mor
> chikunir dexh………*” was sung with great patriotic zeal, making adrenalin
> gush
> through the veins of the ‘*probaxi kharkhoowas*’.
>
>
>
> After that, the Chief Guest, Mr Hari Sankar Brahma, Election Commissioner
> of
> India, was greeted. The Guest of Honour, Justice Dr Mukunda Kam Sharma,
> Justice of the Supreme Court of India, was received thereafter. Mr Brahma
> lit the ‘*meji*’ amidst chanting of mantras and invocations. Justice Sharma
> released the “*Samayik*”, the association periodical, which is in its
> 21styear of continuous publication. Mr Hiron Dutta introduced the
> contents.
> *Samayik* is the medium of communication among the members of the
> association and a means of cultivating literary traditions among the
> members.
>
>
>
> The day was also celebrated as the ‘annual sports and activities’ day. The
> children’s painting competition commenced from 10:30 am, followed by a
> football match between *President’s 11* and *General Secretary’s 11*. The
> team members were amazingly sporting and of all ages. Races too were held –
> children participated in running while the not-so-young ladies and
> gentlemen
> participated in walking races. “*Tekeli Bhanga*” (the challenge of breaking
> a clay pot blindfolded), tug of war etc. were other hilarious competitions
> that extracted loud cheers from onlookers.
>
>
>
> The ‘Who’s who’ of the Assamese society of NCR turned up for the Annual
> event. Artists, Journalists, Bureaucrats, Entrepreneurs, Students,
> Homemakers - they were all there and in large numbers.
>
>
>
> The games and sports-events had culminated by 2:30 pm. Food was laid out
> and
> people queued up in an orderly manner. After lunch a game of an Assamese
> version of ‘Antakshari’ was held. It was followed by the Prize distribution
> ceremony for the events held during the day. The President of the
> Association, Vice Presidents, Manoj K Das and Rumi Sarmah and GS, Tridib
> Saikia, gave away the prizes. Students who had scored more than 90% in XII-
> Board examinations were also felicitated; they were Ms Priyanka Das (95%)
> and Mr Chandan Jyoti Sarmah (93%).
>
>
>
> Later, a local Bihu team charged up the atmosphere with twists and turns of
> the spring dance. An impromptu dacing frenzy broke out, as is the norm. The
> celebrations ended with a round of tambola after the evening tea. It was
> another successful and memorable yearly event. General Secretary, Mr Tridib
> Saikia presented the vote of thanks to all the sponsors and persons who
> made
> the event possible through their generous monetary help or contributions in
> kind.
>
>
>
> The participation has seen a steady increase by the day, in this festival
> of
> harvest and of the declaration of the termination of winter, with the
> ‘Uttarayan’ of the Sun. The busy schedule of Delhiites limits social
> contact, but this bihu-fest provides an opportunity to meet and exchange
> notes on an annual basis that no one likes to miss.
>
>
>
> Delhi has an Assamese population of nearly 100,000 who are making their
> presence felt in various professional and social spheres. Delhi is the
> hottest destination of the young Assamese seeking quality education and
> career opportunities. The city’s heterogeneous ambience makes one adapt
> quickly. It’s also nearer home and is hospitable and expanding radially in
> the NCR, providing scope for a roof to everyone.
>
> _________________________________
> _______________________________________________
> assam mailing list
> assam at assamnet.org
> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
> _______________________________________________
> assam mailing list
> assam at assamnet.org
> http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
>