[Assam] Magh Bihu in Delhi

Mon Jan 17 10:10:45 PST 2011

Another feature added to our Houston Bhwgali Bihu was a Naam Proxongo to pray for Mike Fincke's success in his upcoming space travel in April. As most of you know Mike is an integral part of our Oxomiya community in Houston and he gave us a succinct briefing on his duties in the mission. We also prayed for a quick recovery of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' health. She was shot in an assassination attempt in Arizona. Gabby Giffords is the wife of Mark Kelly who is the commander of the April launch.

--- On Mon, 1/17/11, Manoj Das <dasmk2k at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Manoj Das <dasmk2k at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [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, 11:01 AM

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.
>
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