GUWAHATI, March 1 � In recognition of her community based activities in the UK and her native State Assam, Rini Kakati, senior education and welfare worker for ethnic minorities in department of social services at London Borough of Tower Hamlet and Brent, has been invited to the Queen�s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace this year.
A dinner with the monarch would be a great honour, said a jubilant Kakati who lives in Harlesden, London and is at present in Guwahati in connection to some community based activity.
It needs to be mentioned here that Kakati is an active member of UK�s ruling Labour Party. Her outstanding career in community work spanning over 35 years has earned her many recognitions including the prestigious Glory of India Award. She is the first Assamese lady to receive this award given by the India International Society. It was presented to her last year.
�We expatriates have been endeavouring to promote the North East on the international map. Though opportunities are lying outside for the region, it has failed to grab those opportunities,� said Kakati adding that the non-resident Assamese have taken up many initiatives to present a slice of cultural life of Assam in UK.
Amongst the initiatives of the non-resident Assamese mention may be made of screening of Assamese films at the Nehru Centre. �We could show Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia�s Agnisnan and Manju Borah�s Joymati at the Nehru Centre. This year we are planning to show Kushal Konwar,� said Kakati.
Currently Kakati is preparing a strategy to market the tourism potential of the region under the banner of Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS). She is also the director of FASS, UK. �People outside are willing to support the tourism promotion efforts of the State,� mentioned Kakati. Divulging her marketing strategy, Kakati said that it will include a seminar, an exhibition and a cultural show in London�s Trafalgar Square.
