Assam Society of America

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Also known as: Asom Sangha
Founded: 1973 (informally organized during the 1960s)
Headquarters: PO Box 158, Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536, USA

Overview

The Assam Society of America (ASA), also known by its Assamese name Asom Sangha, is the oldest Assamese organization in the United States. Established formally in 1973, the organization represents Assamese expatriates across the United States and works to promote the cultural heritage, language, and traditions of Assam while fostering community among members of the Assamese diaspora.

History

Asom Sangha originated informally during the 1960s in the New York–New Jersey metropolitan area, where many of the earliest immigrants from Assam had settled. A significant proportion of the first generation of Assamese immigrants to the United States lived in this region, creating the need for a common social and cultural organization.

The organization was formally established in 1973, when an executive committee was elected and the offices of President, Vice-President, and General Secretary were created. During its early years, Assamese communities elsewhere in the United States were relatively small, and the need for separate regional organizations had not yet emerged.

In 1981, the organization adopted its first constitution and officially introduced the English name Assam Society of America, while retaining Asom Sangha as its Assamese name.

Beginning in 1990, the Society expanded the scope of its activities by organizing annual conventions in different parts of the United States, reflecting the growing Assamese population across the country.

Activities

Since its establishment, the Society has organized a variety of cultural and community events, including:

Bohag Bihu celebrations
Bhogali Bihu celebrations
Community picnics
Srimanta Sankardeva Tithi commemorative programmes
Annual general meetings and conventions

Initially, annual meetings were held primarily in the northeastern United States, particularly in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. As membership expanded, conventions began rotating among different cities across the United States.

Community Service

The Assam Society of America has undertaken several charitable and educational initiatives benefiting communities in Assam. These include:

Providing scholarships to students in Assam
Supporting child sponsorship ("adopting" children) programmes
Donating books to colleges and universities in Assam

Organization

Although the Society functioned as a single national organization during its early years, it began establishing regional chapters in various parts of the United States in the late 1980s. These chapters organize local cultural programmes while remaining affiliated with the national organization.