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Assamese diaspora in UK celebrate Rongali Bihu

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 20 - The Rongali Bihu spirit captured the minds and hearts of the Assamese diaspora, their friends and families in the UK, as the Bihu revellers travelled from across the UK to London to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner.

The initiative took off under the aegis of the London Bihu Committee (LBC) with Mamoni (Gita) Sarmah as general secretary and Nilmoni Sikdar as president.

The venue was decorated with banners and festoons of Rongali Bihu to welcome the guests. An array of traditional Assamese delicacies like larus and pithas, doi, chira and gur, among others, were laid out on the table by the hard-working female members of LBC like Geeta Borooah, Urbashi Barua, Bhabani Kakati and Suravi Lahon � something that enhanced the Bihu flavour on the occasion, a press release stated.

The children too enjoyed the lip-smacking delicacies prepared by Gita Sikdar.

The day began with a musical chair competition among both the adults and the children.

The guests were welcomed by Nilmoni Sikdar, who in his speech talked about the important role of Bihu in Assamese culture. The audience mourned the death of Dr Kumud Sharma, Dr Mitam Baruah and Zinu Laskar by remembering their contribution towards the Assamese diaspora in the UK over the years.

In due course, child artistes Mereya Hazarika and Shayan Barthakur regaled the audience. Pratim Choudhury, Nilmoni Sikdar, Mamoni (Gita) Sarmah, Suravi Lahon, Bhabani Kakati, Rosy Sen and Rhea Sen presented a variety of dance items and songs.

Guest artiste Aarathi and Mahesh Rajagopal along with a troupe of youngsters enthralled the audience with their varied songs and dance.

For the first time ever, a �Bihu Bake Off� competition was also organised by LBC with a view to encouraging Assamese cooking and fusion foods. Rita Kakati Shah and Geeta Borooah took the initiative to plan and stage the Bihu Bake Off.

Subsequently, Mamoni (Gita) Sarmah offered the vote of thanks.

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