[Assam] Assam day in the UK

[Chan Mahanta]

Hi Romen:

Great to hear from you after such a long time.

Glad to hear of all the kharkhowa  festivities.

I have only one question:

>She went to ULFA territory, no doubt at great risk to herself,

Why was Sanchayita Goswami ( must be he same 
individual as of the 'Bidexot apwn manuh' fame) 
at 'great risk' to herself? Did she speak of that 
risk to her persona, or was it something that 
others fabricated on her behalf?  There is an 
important distinction:

IF, SG, felt she was at risk, while filming 
ULFA's side of the story, WHY on earth did she 
take that risk?

A: Because she believed in ULFA's mission?
B: Because she fancies herself as a Christiane Ammanpour in the making?
C: Because she is a fearless and true journalist 
who believes in the journalistic ethos of telling 
a story like it is, without personal biases 
coming in the way?
D: Something else?


On the other hand, if that 'great risk' to 
herself was something others perceived and 
fabricated, then what does it say of these 
'others's intellectual integrity?

Best,

c
















At 2:30 AM +0100 9/9/06, Romen Goswami wrote:
>
>Hi,
>I have just sent this report as an attachment 
>which would probably be scrubbed. Hence this mail
>
>Romen
>
>Assam Day
>Strictly Bihu dance, Japi throwing and Ladu on 
>spoon race were just some of the highlights of 
>the Assam Day 2006. The three day event which 
>commenced on 26August, a British Bank holiday, 
>was hosted by the United Assam Association of 
>the UK at the  4* Brooklands hotel, Barnsley, 
>Yorkshire. The celebration was well attended and 
>was a grand success. It was colourful, relaxing 
>and enjoyable.
>
>Dr. Bhupen Dev Sarmah, the new president of the 
>association, from Birmingham inaugurated the 
>2006 Assam Day with his welcome speech. A 
>cultural show, organised by Dr. Kumud Sharma 
>followed.   The second generation performers 
>demonstrated their talents quite competently. 
> Dances presented by them, too numerate to name 
>individual performers, captivated the audience. 
>The most outstanding was Adil Ali, an eight year 
>old boy whose family attended the Assam Day for 
>the first time. He was quite at ease dancing 
>Bihu dance and a modern one dancing to a Hindi 
>film song and showing all the emotions of an 
>adult. If he is guided along that route, he 
>might even be a famous dancer one day.
>
>There were two invited guest artists for Assam 
>Day: Mr. Robin Goswami and Mrs. Madhurima 
>Goswami Chaudury from the USA and Assam 
>respectively. Madhurima and her daughter 
>presented a Satriya dance and with his melodious 
>voice, Robin sang a number of Bhupen Hazarika's 
>songs making us all feel so nostalgic.
>
>Manju Barkataky from Seaham presented a 
>hilarious parody of the song ' Oh Mai Joshua Š' 
>replacing Joshua with Madonna with the North 
>East Group .The audience was also treated to a 
>short play directed by Dr. Dwijen Baruah from 
>Swansea and produced by Dr. Pranati Sarmah from 
>Birmingham. This concluded the cultural show.
>
>In the mean time, an Indian Buffet was laid out 
>for the guests. I came to know with surprise 
>that Dr. Rama Bharatia, MBE, from Barnsley had 
>cooked each item of food
>for the guests numbering more than 150.
>
>After the slap-up meal, there was disco where old and young all participated.
>
>Sunday morning was devoted to more serious 
>cultural issues. Julie Sarmah, a primary school 
>teacher from Nottingham, made a 
>thought-provoking presentation of her project 
>relating to beliefs, religious or otherwise. She 
>screened a documentary of her students and 
>religious leaders' opinions
>
>This followed a sneak preview of a documentary 
>by Sanchayita Goswami, a film maker from 
>Dartford in Kent, which the audience admired 
>greatly. She went to ULFA territory, no doubt at 
>great risk to herself, to give the public an 
>insight into the rebels' side of the story.
>
>
>
>
>Dr. Ranjit Barua from Nottingham next started a 
>quiz based on musical items with the audience 
>split up into groups. All the participants 
>enjoyed it thoroughly. Rishi Barua and Julie 
>Sarmah helped him to conduct the quiz. Ranjit 
>wearing another hat was responsible for editing 
>and producing a flashy newsletter with snippets 
>of interesting information.
>
>After lunch, we had Assam Day Olympics organised 
>by Leena Sharma from Leeds and aptly assisted by 
>Emmet Purtil, her brother-in-law from St.Albans. 
>Events included three-legged race, Japi 
>throwing, Ladu on Spoon race. All, young and old 
>participated and enjoyed the event immensely.
>
>  Immediately after, a workshop on how to Bihu 
>dance was run by Madhurima. She formed a group 
>to perform a Bihu dance prior the gala dinner. 
>The boys and girls with the traditional Assamese 
>regalia looked smashing and they delighted 
>everyone with their impressive Bihu dance. 
>Madhurima then gave a professional rendition of 
>Bihu dance which was a pleasure to watch.
>
>Dr. Probir Brahma, General Secretary, gave a 
>pre-dinner speech in which he emphasized the 
>importance of Assam day for all people 
>originating from Assam. The two invited guests 
>were presented with bouquets of flowers in 
>appreciation.
>
>After the sumptuous gala dinner, a dance 
>competition dubbed strictly Bihu dance drew many 
>enthusiastic participants. Leena Sharma and 
>Emmet Purtil conducted the event. It was really 
>joyful to watch the participants giving their 
>best in the competition. In the end, Himadri and 
>Kalpita Hazarika won the event.
>
>Dr. Nagendra Sarmah, an ex-president from 
>Stockport, gave the vote of thanks. Last but not 
>least, Dr. Nripen Barkataky, from Seaham, the 
>master of ceremony, was marvellous in the 
>flawless running of the events over the two days 
>of celebration.
>The Assam Day 2006 ended after the screening of 
>the first Assamese film Joymoti on the 28th 
>morning.
>
>Romen Goswami
>
>
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