GUWAHATI, April 23 � The Assamese community of greater Toronto, Buffalo, Ottawa, Peterborough gathered at the Tagore Centre, Toronto to celebrate Rongali Bihu organized by Asom Sangha, Canada on April 14.
The celebration began with flag hoisting by Minati Sharma of Buffalo followed by singing of Assam�s national song O� Mor Aaponar Desh and National Anthems of India and Canada. Children took the lead in singing the National Anthems. Jib Talukdar, President, Asom Sangha, welcomed the gathering.
After the opening ceremony, the children sang a group song �Bilote Halishe.� participated by Tanya Sharma, Jishnu Pathak Talukdar, Garggie Pathak Talukdar, Shreya Kashyap, Sneh Boro. Krishiv Thakuria, Arush Deka, Avni Saxena, Jishnu Talukdar, Shreya Kashyap and Tanya Sarma sang individual songs. Rubin Hazarika played guitar. Aayan and Rubin Hazarika dance to Hindi song. Avni Saxena also danced to an old Hindi song. Garggie P Talukdar performed a Bihu dance.
Six new families joined the community this time. After the break, cultural programme started again with a Shradhanjali to Bhupen Hazarika. Chorus was sung by Mitali Sarma, Purbali Das, Uma Talukdar, Rita Baruah, Nayana Talukdar and Gitimoni Barua. Iswar Chakravartty recited his self composed poems. Barnali Saxena sang a song.Gitimoni Barua performed a Bihu dance. Kuntala danced on a popular Assamese song.
Purbali Das, Nayana Talukdar, Hitesh Thakuria presented a number of individual song. Uma Talukdar performed a song by Bhupen Hazarika. Kaushik led an orchestra. Shivani Patel sang three beautiful songs. Nabul Baruah and Reeta Baruah presented an Alakhya on Bhupen Hazarika. Mitali Sarma Baruah along with Nabul Baruah sang in the alakhya. Reeta Baruah and Hitesh lent their voice for the alakhya and Manash Sharma accompanied them on guitar. The last part of the cultural programme was a open Bihu dance starting with Husori. Everyone partipated in the Husori and open Bihu.
Meanwhile, the annual general body meeting of Asom Sangha was held. A new executive committee was elected with Kaushik Bhattacharjee as president and Gitimoni Baruah as secretary for 2012-2014. Seema Baruah Patel was elected as a member to the permanent board of directors. This was stated in an e-mail received here today.
