-  Dr. Monoranjan Bezboruah (Outgoing President)
We begin with a thank you to the community for entrusting us with the responsibilities of the AANA Executive for the 2009—2011 term. In carrying out our duties, we could count on the help from many. In particular, Dilara Boruah, Debabrata Sarma, Ruprekha Baruah and Probha Saikia, Roopa Sharma, Ganesh Deka, Anee and Ranjan Deka, Robert Satin, Pankaj Saharia and Parthajit Baruah, Uma Talukdar and Arundhati Barua, and Arup Goswami helped us by providing the regional/local news/information as and when we called for it. Thank you.We lost a few members of the Association. We mourn their deaths! The deaths of Dr. Jitendra G.Borpujari and Dr. Kamna Das, hit the Association hard, we missed two key persons. The Dr. Kamna Das Memorial Trophy is a timely tribute to her ideals. When we were asked to select the Recipient for the Dr. Kamna Das Memorial Trophy, we looked around, talked to many from all four corners of the North America, and was elated to find one amongst ourselves. Thus, the Executive Committee reported to the organizers thus:
The Selection Committee was delighted to note that amongst us itself there is an individual who fits the candidate that we were looking for to award the Kamna Memorial Trophy. In awarding him the Trophy, our community acknowledges the continuing mentoring and community service that this great individual has performed throughout these years. The great Bhaonas and the Naams that we were privileged to share and in which many of our younger generation had excelled in speak of his service and devotion to our heritage. The varied and valuable contribution was also noted by none other than our Bhupen da in 1993 Convention, and by Dr. Biren Dutta in another forum. We bow to him for his great service and wish him continued success. And that individual is none other than our Brojen da—Dr. Brojen Bordoloi, Ph.D. of Bridgewater, NJ Recognition of the valuable service from our midst was kept in fore. As Dr. Deva Borah stated from the dais during the cultural evening of the Convention, recognition of the great service rendered by many towards this Association has always remained a cardinal principle of the AANA Executives. Throughout these years our Association has recognized many, some names come to mind at this moment – Dr. Kripanath Borah, Ms. Surabhi Kakati, Mrs. Labanya Borra, Dr. Kamna Das, Dr. Iswar Chakravartty, Dr. Brojen Bordoloi, Mrs. Anima Chakravartty. We kept up the tradition and recognized the valuable service of the following – Dr. Jitendra Borpujari and Dr. Aroona Borpujari, Dr. Atul Sarma and Mrs. Eva Sarma, Mr. Amiya Das and Mrs. Reeta Das, Dr. Satyajit Dutta and Mrs. Ranu Dutta,
Dr. Debabrata Sarma and Mrs. Jayashri Sarma, Mr. Barada Sarma and Mrs. Nandita Sarma, Mr. Robert C. Satin and Dr. Aradhana Satin, Mr. Rupesh Saikia and Mrs. Probha Saikia, Mr. Manomohan Hazarkia and Mrs. Bina Hazarika, Dr. Ganesh Deka and Mrs. Parulma Deka, Dr. Rathin Devchoudhury and Mrs. Meenakshi Devchoudhury, Mr. Pankaj Saharia and Mrs. Monalee Saharia, and Dr. Nabajyoti Kakati and Mrs. Manjula Kakati. Many others remain – in particular, Bulbuly Baidow (Mrs. Kripa Borah)!

Please indulge me, for I must say this: Bulbuli Baidow’s Sandesh has become an integral part of our Conventions. This year they took the train, and the journey to Chicago was many hours, so the million dollar question was – would she bring it, or would she not! On July 1st noon, I enquired about her Sandesh; She demurred! But there they were! Baidow even followed a different recipe, as she had to carry them with her during the 12 hours plus train journey from New York! That is the sweet ethos of our Convention!

Ours is an association of rules and procedures, and thus it has survived, and stayed on course! Beginning with a modest membership, in 1980, we have come a long way. Our literary wing – the Assam Sahitya Sabha of North America (ASSNA) and our non-profit wing, the Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA) are stronger, and are engaged in respective multi-faceted activities. We provide consistent outreach and an active platform to an increased number from our community. Time has probably come to follow the common and accepted business practice of offering members additional privileges, for membership indeed should offer additional privileges! Our children, for whom this Association is dedicated, have now become adults and it is refreshing to witness the eagerness on their part to come forward and take on responsibilities. It is incumbent upon them to protect, preserve,
and further this great institution. They should be the natural new members!

We look forward to our Conventions and meetings; it is the essence that remains more important than sheer numbers; hopefully we keep that in mind! There were poignant moments during the Convention – two little ones were seen holding each other’s hands, as if they could afford to lose not a moment apart! The following account from Nimisha Bora, a 5 year old, about her participation in the Convention is sweet, and it speaks for itself! Truly, children ask their parents on July 5th itself about the next Convention! The connectivity and the conduciveness amongst our younger generation is the key. While we seek increase in our membership, we are careful to note that the size of the membership should not be allowed to trump our cohesiveness!

We welcome our next Executive, and of course we are always a call away, if needed! The Association is stronger, both financially and in terms of our commitment. Onwards, we march towards the 33rd Convention in Calgary, Canada. The beautiful Calgary area needs no introduction, but Arup was kind enough to send us some writings about Calgary, they are provided later in the Newsletter. See you all in Calgary.