- By Uma Talukdar

On Saturday, April 14 2012, the Assamese community of greater Toronto, Buffalo, Ottawa, Peterborough gathered at the Tagore Centre, Toronto to celebrate Bohag Bihu. The Bihu was organized by Asom Sangha, Canada. The celebration started with a Jol-paan consisting of a variety of pithas, laroo, cake and, mithais, The celebration was opened 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 on singing the National Anthems. Jib Talukdar, President Asom Sangha welcomed the gathering. After the opening ceremony, the children started their program with 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 danced to Bollywood songs. Avni Saxena dance to an old Hindi song. Garggie P Talukdar performed a Bihu dance. After the children’s program there was tea/snacks break and people got an opportunity to greet and talk. Six new families joined the community this time. After the break, cultural program started again with a Shradhanjali to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Chorus was sung by Mitali Sarma, Purbali Das, Uma Talukdar, Rita Baruah, Nayana Talukdar and Gitimoni Barua. Gitimoni Barua performed Bihu dance. Kuntala danced to a popular Assamese song. Purbali Das, Nayana Talukdar, Hitesh Thakuria each perform couple of individual song. Uma Talukdar performed a song by Bhupen Hazarika. Kaushik lead an orchestra. Nabul Baruah and Reeta Baruah presented an Alakhya on Bhupen Hazarika. Mitali Sarma Baruah along with Nabul Baruah sang in the alakhya and Reeta Baruah and Hitesh lended their voice. The last part of the cultural program was a mukoli Bihu dance starting with Husori. Everyone partipated in the Husori and Mukoli Bihu. In Toronto no function can end without a delicious dinner. It was no exception this year either. The Annual general body meeting of Asom Sangha took place. A new executive committee was elected with Kaushik Bhattacharjee as President and Gitimoni Baruah as Secretary for the term 2012-2014. Seema Baruah Patel was elected as a member to the permanent board of directors. Jib Talukdar President, Hitesh Thakuria Secretary Asom Sangha takes this opportunity to thank everyone for their help and participation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-S9xJjym7U