A large number of families, visitors, and others with cultural ties to Asom gathered in Richmond Hill, on the occasion..

Bihu was organised by Rajib Barman, Mandir Panchanan, Parvez Rahman, and Dhritiman Hazarika. There was a door prize lottery for the guests, a prize for the best performer in the cultural show and a prize for best Assamese dressed couple/family. Tafizur Rahman and Saleha Rahman and Dalima Jeffrey offered their helping hands in selecting the best performer in the cultural show, and bihu gifts for children respectively.

The festivity began with refreshing jolpan — pitha-pona, laru etc. prepared by many who participated in the celebration. The programme started with a welcome address by Apurba Hazarika on behalf of Prodip Bora, secretary of the Asom Sangha for last two years term. One minute condolence silence was observed for the eternal departed soul of late Surendra Mohan Rajkumar, who passed away in Montreal, Canada.

The cultural programme started with an outstanding Bihu dance performed by Bhavna Talukdar of Windsor, Ontario. Debi Sarma anchored this year’s cultural show. There were renditions of Assamese songs by Dhritiman Hazarika and Rajib Barman, a film song by Manish Santa from Chicago, and an outstanding performance on mandolin by Mryidushyam Talukdar. Nava Pallav Das amused everyone with a performance on mouth organ.

Dances performed by Ria Das, Aquina Athayda and Rajlaxmi Barua livened up the evening, as did the recitation of French songs done by little Priyakshi Mahanta.

Dr Bikul Das briefly spoke about the origin of Bihu and its co-relation with Easter celebration. The award for best dressed family of the evening went to Dhrub Hazarika, who dressed adorably with a gamocha and to his parents Satarupa and Dhritiman. The cultural show came to an end with an amazing modern Hindi dance by Bhavna Talukdar who also won the best performer prize.

The door prize winner was Ria Das. This was followed by a Somuhiya Bihu and appreciation notes to past office bearers, organizers, distant visitors, and to the audience.

Selected new office bearers of Asom Sangha Canada were: Dr Nilakshi Khataniar as president, and Rajib Barman and Mandir Panchanan as joint secretaries. Next year will mark the 35 years of Rongali Bihu celebration in Canada, and the Sangha is already making an open invitation to everyone to participate and make it an event to remember.

(The Assam Tribue,26.04.2006)