bordoichila 2011

BORDOICHILA

April 15, 2011

VVVOOOLLL III IIISSSSSSUUUEEE IIIIII

BORDOICHILA 2011 Page 1

Contents

1. Music: Beyond Entertainment – Rupjyoti Talukdar 3

2. Assam the duck which used to lay golden eggs – Arunoday Choudhury 5

3. Homecoming - Ankita Deka 6

4. ‘Going Green’ dreams – Nilanjona Mahanta 9

5. Limericks – Sanjeev Bordoloi 8

6. Custom Gift Baskets, Distinctly Yours - Sabina Zeenat 11

7. Making of Bihu Committee – Sabina Zeenat 13

8. Lakhisor – Minati Mahanta 14

9. Three powers to treasure – Geeti Das 17

10. Down the memory lane – Geeti Das/ Mukul Dass 18

11. Kiddie Corner

a. Joy is everywhere– Nibir Sarma 20

b. From the files of Camp Half-Blood: Rescue Operation… – Nibir Sarma 21

c. What we’re all about – Ashmita Sharma 22

d. The mysterious creek – Ayan Sharma 23

e. Jamaica– Sabriyah Taher 24

f. Bed time stories – Kabita Nath 25

g. How to make a smoothie- Samir Sarma 26

h. Princess Hut – Nimisha Bora 27

i. Song 29

j. Bihu Sketches – Aradhana Choudhury 30

k. B for Ball – Taj Bora 31

l. Trivia for kids 32

12. From Bordoichila’s kitchen 34

i. Masor tenga with bilahi, potato, dhania-

ii. Masor tenga with bilahi, jatilao-

iii. Masor tenga with jatilao-

iv. Masor tenga with thekera-

v. Masor tenga with apple!!-

vi. Masor tenga with nemu, potato-

vii. Mas aru horiyoh-

viii. Mas aru jika-

ix. Mas aru kumura-

x. Mas aru rongalao-

xi. Mas aru til-

xii. Mas aru bengena-

xiii. Mas aru paleng-


xiv. Mas aru narahingha pat-

13. Guest author contribution

a. Rongali Bihu – Gitima Sharma Baruah 38

b. Swikriti – Buljit Buragohain 39

c. Engineering colleges in Assam…. - Buljit Buragohain 40

d. Indian Cancer Care Network – Sarat Nath and Vavani Sarmah 41

e. Assam online book store – Sarat Nath, Vavani Sarmah 42

f. Learn Assamese online: A unique initiative by the expatriates – Ankur Bora 43

g. Assamese language course for kids in San Francisco Bay Area – Pallav Saikia 45

14. Editorial 47

15. Back cover 48


Music: Beyond Entertainment Rupjyoti Talukdar

Health

About the author: Dr. Rupjyoti Talukdar is a medical researcher and

physician by profession and currently practices pancreatology and

gastroenterology in Guwahati, Assam. He (post)graduated from Gauhati

Medical College, following which he completed an advanced fellowship from

the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA. He is a music enthusiast and is an ardent

keyboard and guitar player and composer of New age music. Photography is

one of his other hobbies to name. He was awarded 'Bharat Jyoti Award' by

the India International Friendship Society, New Delhi, October 2008. Read

more about Dr. Talukdar and his publications and achievements in his self-

designed website www.rupjyoti.com.

Let me begin with a few real life situations, or rather questions.

Why does an individual want to listen to fast and loud music at a

party? Why does it feel inappropriate to listen to upbeat music

during a funeral procession? Why does it happen that the same music at times

sound soothing while it irritates at another time point? When you listen to fast

and loud music while driving do you tend to drive fast and be more slow and

careful when you listen to softer music (at least it happens in my case!!)? For

those who are familiar with Indian classical music, why do you think that a particular raga has a specific time for

performance? Again, the music enthusiast would realize that music or songs starting with a minor scale give

somewhat a more happy feeling that those which are not. If we reckon intuitively, it appears that each of these

experiences converge towards an association with the emotional milieu of an individual. Music is an universal

language and has been a source of entertainment since time immemorial. However, there is another facet of music

which directly relates to affecting various physical and psychological attributes of human existence. Scientists and

musicologists have recognized this unique property pretty early and have embarked on various clinical research

that have resulted in contributions to the still evolving discipline called music therapy.

Before delving further into the properties of music beyond entertainment, it would be worthwhile to have a brief

overview of the anatomy of sound perception. Whatever sounds we hear is first received by the eardrum, from

which it is transmitted by three tiny middle ear bones (ossicles) as waves to the nerve for hearing (auditory nerve).

The auditory nerve transmits the sound energy as electrical impulses to an area in the brain called the temporal

lobe. This lobe has an area specified for hearing and is known as the auditory area. From here things start getting

even more complicated. The auditory area itself has a number of layers where different fibers of the auditory nerve

end specifically, thus giving different sense of depth and direction of the incoming sound energy. More

intriguingly, nerves fibers from the auditory area relay to far away areas in the brain that controls speech, memory,

emotions like sadness, happiness, anger etc. and other cognitive functions. This suggests that sounds, including

music can affect other mental faculties of a person and thereby provide a logical explanation to the above

mentioned and similar experiences. The relationship of music to different areas in the brain has been shown

objectively by special techniques like fMRI and PET scans that detect an increase in blood flow to a particular

area in the brain in response to music.

The areas of human behavior and disease processes on which the effect of music has been looked into includes

anxiety, insomnia (sleeplessness), autism, spastic paralysis in children, cancer pain, epilepsy, stroke rehabilitation,

cognitive functions like memory, decision making, concentration etc., to name a few. Music therapy has been

shown to allay anxiety related to various situations like chemotherapy for cancer or administration of anesthesia

prior to surgery, and reduce pain related to cancer. Research has also shown that music therapy can help a patient

to regain movement during rehabilitation after a stroke and also in children with spastic paralysis. However, the

problem with the current principles of music therapy is that baring a few, there are practically no uniform genre or

type of music that has been specifically shown to confer benefit. Different studies uses different types of music,

for example, for the same research outcomes, some group have used music to the liking of the patient, some group

have used improvisational and new age music, while some others have used classical music. Moreover, the

http://www.rupjyoti.com/


patients in some of the studies were also undergoing other form of interventions concomitantly. Therefore, it is

difficult to come to a definite conclusion from these studies. However, things are somewhat different when it

comes to Mozart's music. Listening to few of Mozart's piano concertos have been shown to induce improve

intelligence quotient, cognitive functioning and reducing seizure frequency. This has been popularly christened as

the Mozart effect. Of course, controversies exist in this too, and many researchers consider this to be an artifact

rather than a reality. However, few recent studies have shown that the Sonata for two pianos in D major, K.448 by

Mozart could significantly reduced epileptic activity in children who were refractory to conventional medications.

This suggests that this composition can be used as a add-on to anti-epileptic drugs in children in uncontrolled

epilepsy. This effect against epilepsy appears plausible because this composition has been shown to have a high

degree of long term periodicity that has been observed to resonate within the brain. This has been hypothesized to

reduce seizure activity and enhance spatio-temporal performance. Another study that compared to Mozart's music

and New Age music found that the former fared better in terms of inducing more psychological relaxation and

reducing stress. Thus, Mozart's piano sonatas, especially the K.448 can be recommended as one of the few

compositions that have objectively been shown to confer benefit.

Most parts of the above discussion pertain to the therapeutic aspects of music. However,

what would be more practicable to the healthy individuals is to know what kind of music

helps in one's daily life. There is no such recommendation to my knowledge as yet.

Nevertheless, one can always listen to compositions by Mozart and Beethoven, among

the classical composers. Listening to Indian ragas might also be helpful, prov ided the

right composition is heard at the correct time. From my personal experience (might be

little bit biased!), I have observed that instrumental music gives a more soothing feel

than songs with lyrics. My personal recommendations, besides Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin's compositions,

include compositions by new age composers like Yanni, Enya, Enigma, Vangelis and Kitaro (for a few

compositions). The other aspect that I feel could be helpful is the type of instruments (or the timbre and frequency

in technical terms). Few examples include sound of the flute, high pitched bell sounds and the harmonics of the

acoustic guitar and the wide range of the controlled piano hammering. There are no research based evidence to

back these observations, but an individual can experiment on themselves by listening to these music for a pre-

defined period of time on a regular basis and try to extrapolate the benefits, if any. One thing that I can claim with

the fullest conviction is that these musical forms are harmless. Therefore, one can tailor make few choices of

instrumental compositions which they observe to be beneficial to themselves and their children.

However, one word of caution here! There has been an increasing concern on the adversities that comes along

with a liking for what is called 'problem music', that in cludes hard rock, hip-hop/rap and punk forms. Various

workers have observed significant associations of a preference for rock/heavy metal with suicidal thoughts and

acts of deliberate self-harm. Others have observed that liking for problem music is associated with a propensity

towards delinquent behavior, use of illegal drugs, leading a friendless loners life with low self-esteem and

acceptance of anti-authoritarian views. Like other research based observations in the literature, there are disparate

reports on these too. However, till these are specifically proven or disproven, it would be prudent to go by the

notion of existence of adversities of problem music, since this is more dangerous than the contrary. These

observations do not necessarily point towards a cause-effect relationship, but may be more reflective of

personality traits and manifestations of personality disorders. The other facet to this is that problem music may

actually trigger the adversities in the person who are already predisposed to those due to various other factors. This

realization is particularly important for parents, guardians and mentors since these can guide them in identifying

potential personality related problems in their children, disciples or mentees.

In conclusion, to me music therapy is still an evolving discipline. In general, one can listen to any form of music

that he/she feels soothing and also make their young children listen. My personal recommendation would be

Mozart and Beethoven, and of course the New Age composition by Yanni, Enya, Vengalis and Kitaro until

something specific gets proven to be beneficial by the musicology researchers. Mozart's K.448 should definitely

be used as an adjunct to medical treatments in epileptics. Finally, it would be wise to stay away from heavy metal,

hard rock, and other forms of problem music.

Suggested reading: van der Weiden RM. The Mozart Effect. Journal for The Royal Society of Medicine, 2001

October; 94: 553. (Free full text available in www.pubmed.com)

https://picasaweb.google.com/joon.mn/Kabi


ASSAM THE DUCK WHICH USED TO LAY GOLDEN EGGS

Sketch (media? Contact Artist) Arunoday Choudhu ry

About the Artist: Arun Choudhury who is an IT consultant by

profession lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota with his wife

Rashmi Baruah and four year old daughter Aradhana (Ruhi).

He is very popular among his friends and the community for his

humor, enthusiasm and social work. Some of his hobbies

include: Travelling, Cooking and Music (Lately listening to Joi

Baruah)

Choudhury with his wife Rashmi


Homecoming

Feelings Ankita Deka

About the author: Ankita Deka completed her PhD from the

Indiana University School of Social Work. Her dissertation is titled

“Racial disparities in self reported health and health care

utilization: Does primary care matter?” Using Medical Expenditure

and Panel Survey (MEPS) data, she analyzed how perceived

institutional discrimination impacts African-Americans physical

health status as well as patterns of their health care utilization. This

is one of the first few empirical studies that analyze this relationship

in Dr. Deka‟s discipline.

Dr. Deka was also awarded the 2011 Chancellor‟s Scholar award

for the best PhD student in the entire university. She currently works

as an Assistant Professor in the Social Work Department at

Augsburg College, Minneapolis. Her current research interests

include health disparities in the United States, quantifying women‟s

empowerment in India, globalization and its impact on vulnerable

populations, studying people‟s movements around the world. Her

other passions include reading, traveling and creative writing. She

lives in the twin cities with her son Devarsh and husband Dr. Bijan

Borah.

At first a distant light seemed to glow down below, and before I had craned my neck to hold on to it, a thousand

others seemed to sparkle in unison, and soon I felt as if the glimmering lights created their own rhapsody in the

otherwise dark skies of Mumbai city. The plane glided through the air almost effortlessly and landed on the

concretes of this larger than life city; a tear fell down my cheek as I tried to reconcile with this overwhelming

feeling of nostalgia that I could no longer hide. The redundancies of nationalism, seemingly in an era of pro-

capitalist globalization where apparently the problem of spatial differences are mitigated through the

interconnections of the virtual space did not seem true to me at this moment. Yet, the profundities of the emotion

were so intense that I could not have delved into the theoretical and philosophical temptations, at least not for this

moment.

We walked out of the airport to meet our friends, and for once it seemed as if a thousand discordant notes, all

familiar but forgotten, hit my ears. The traffic blared restlessly, humans talked, laughed, shrilled, cried and

coughed, and even a stray dog greeted us with its nightly bark. It was scene of frenzy, as if the city had all

culminated at the airport. In the midst of this crowd I spotted our friends waving and shouting frantically to gain

some attention, only for their voices to be merged with other enthusiast greeters who were waiting for their loved

ones too. Seeing our friends after all these years, seven to be precise, was quite exhilarating and emotional at the

same time; in an instant I was reminded how much I had missed them all these years without being fully cognizant

about it. As we hit the Mumbai roads, after a long wait at the parking ramp, a strange sense of coming back home

hit me intensely. The musty air was full with a concoction of smells from sweat, smoke, pollution, human and

animal litter, to tree and flowers. I rolled down the windows and let the air brush against my face under the dim

lights of Mumbai city, it was my moment to rekindle my romance with this great city and I was not going to let it

pass. For the next three days, we were immersed in the love and attention of our friends and Mumbai readily

played the hospitable host. We ate till we could eat no more, slept barely and talked incessantly with our friends.

We visited the malls and the plazas all symbolic of this new found development that has engulfed India. The

bizarre paradox of development is perhaps played out in Mumbai more sharply than any other city in India. On

one side the skyscrapers caress the skies where the super rich live out their dreams, and adjacent to it scores of

humans huddle together in makeshift shanty homes where they try to keep their hopes of making it in this city


alive. Mumbai with all its peculiarities has always been my kind of city, tall and grandiose yet frail just like the

human condition.

A few days later we reached Assam to the loving comfort of family and friends. Our days were filled with fun,

laughter, good company and food; not a moment passed when someone who loved us dearly was not around.

Close to a decade ago, I had left the guaranteed protection and unconditional love of my family and well wishers

to weave a dream in the dreamland of America. x I was singularly unprepared for many of the challenges that

came with the life as a graduate student‟s wife, and later as a graduate student myself. Yet, the cocoon which

shielded me from the harsh and often unpleasant realities of life, continued to chip away exposing me to my own

set of vulnerabilities and strengths. Going back home brought everything back full circle almost instantly and I

realized how much I had changed as an individual since the last time I was home. As the time to return back to

Minneapolis drew closer, my heart sank and a strange sense of discomfort began to settle in. I cried at the thought

of missing life‟s simple treasures; Deuta‟s warm hug and kiss in the morning, Ma‟s concern for all my trivia, my

brother‟s ringing laughter, the sunlight that crept through the window of my room, that old photograph of my

grandfather which has been there forever, the old armchair where I bundled up in the winters to read my favorite

books and all of those little things that made up my world a while ago. I felt listless and distraught at the thought

of being on my own once again. As a high school teen I had rebelled against my parents, by blaring daring music,

wearing torn jeans and ruffled hair. I was striving for my sense of independence and a sense of identity which at

that time was all enmeshed in the collective identity of the family. Yet, here I was now trying to hold on to

everything for one last time, the smiles and the laughter, the smell and the noise, the crowd and the restlessness,

all of which that signified home and India. The night before we were leaving, I was out with my brother in the car,

in the stillness of the surroundings I began to wonder. Does life offers any real choices, or are the choices even

comparable or do they provide alternatives? On one hand, America was where I had gone to fulfill my

professional dreams and aspirations, and it offered me opportunities without any bureaucracies and red tape

typical of the Indian system. It was also where my husband and I weaved dreams for us and our child. Yet, the

heart remains in India, in the frenzied crowds, organized chaos and impositions of family and society. The two

worlds and choices are discrete, like many other things in life, and for this once before my head split open with a

dizzying feeling I let it go.

After the tearful goodbyes at the airport where most of my extended family had congregated to show their love

and support one last time, we sat inside the airplane. As the plane left the runaway and I looked down below to

catch a glimpse of what I could, I could not help crying. As I put my hands inside my coat pocket to reach out for

a tissue, I found a crinkled piece of paper with Deuta‟s handwriting, a things to do list he had penned for me

during our visit. I rested my head against the head rest, smiled and put the paper back in my pocket. It was indeed

quite a homecoming…..

Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school. —Albert Einstein

Photo (Carribean sea) by Sarat Nath


‘Going Green’ Dreams Thoughts Nilanjona Mahanta

About the author: Nilanjona Mahanta is currently working as an IT

professional for a technology based company in Minneapolis. She

pursued B.E. from Assam Engineering College and has a passion for

Assamese culture and music. She loves to do pencil sketches and

portraits. She lives with her husband Sarat Nath and two daughters

Kabita and Shruti. Her email id is: [email protected].

Every year as the New Year‟s Day approaches many of us try to

think of some SMART resolutions. SMART means, as you

understand correctly Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and

Time-based goals. Whether it is work related or your personal

objective, I believe if we plan accordingly such goals could be

accomplished. Thanks to a friend who added me to Facebook mid

last year and in a cold December evening when I was still thinking

what my New Year resolution for 2011 would be, I noticed that a

friend has posted an interesting topic on his wall about preservation

of nature, green peace etc. For a moment I thought many of us

probably set goals for our career, which is good actually, but how

about we all set an additional objective, a common objective for year

2011? True - we cannot cover all the wounds of the Guwahati hills with a green blanket immediately. Neither can

we close the holes in the ozone layer completely. But we can be concerned; we can raise more and more

awareness and actually do something. Now one might think how does that count? Would my work be of worth

actually? It could be if we think smartly - let‟s go green in 2011 - In a SMARTer way!

Let us ask a few questions to ourselves. If you answer as Yes to a particular question below your score is 10. And

out of 5 questions if you get 50 you probably care for this environment and I don‟t mind if you think you are

wasting time reading my article! If you score 40 you are with me! But if you score 30 or less I think you have a

great potential to do something for this planet. And please start doing this, here I have only provided 10 tips that I

could think of. Of course there may be better and smarter ideas you may have then please share those and save our

planet.

1. Do I use separate bins for disposing

trash, recyclable products and

batteries etc. at home?

2. When I print documents or slides in

the office do I make I sure to select

print on both sides?

3. Do I present live plants to people or

as birthday gift to kids?

4. Do I maintain live plants at home or

office? Or take time to do some

indoor or outdoor gardening?

5. Do I occasionally talk or read about

saving this planet for the future

generation?

Whether you are a student, at home or in the office it counts! And here are my ten tips to go green this year.

Photo by Sarat Nath

mailto:[email protected]


Let us -

1. If possible replace printers that print only on one side with ones both-sides printing features

2. Encourage co-workers to distribute agenda/minutes/info etc. electronically.

3. Conduct some awareness seminar/ do a 'go green' day, like wear green shirt on a particular day to spread the

message. 4. Keep separate bins for recyclable products; use this well known 'RE' theory- reduce, re-use, and recycle. We

must not forget to educate our kids to do the same.

5. Plant some trees at home, if we don‟t have space, let‟s use tubs!

6. Make gardening a new hobby if we never did before. Just water them once a day and feel good all day!

7. Keep a small green plant at work/ home/ drawing room/ bathroom near windows if possible.

8. Keep the environment clean by disposing trash properly. 9. Limit use of plastic products; let‟s recycle them if ever used. Let‟s not burn plastic products in a place public is

exposed to.

10. Lot more you could think of too; share your green ideas! Let‟s talk about it, read about it.

In my case, for implementation, at my work I found that the printer (I occasionally use a printer!) I was using

earlier didn‟t have the both-sides printing feature. I found another printer which was quite a few cubes away could

process that and I switched my default printer setting to that one. People use paper in the United States in a large

scale. That means everyday a lot of trees are sacrificing their lives for us. In the last few months, to save paper

and trees I have been more to electronic format of documents rather than using hard copies for my project

works. Our magazine Bordoichila is a proud great example, it is produced in electronic format only, and

however one may also print a copy if and only if needed. In today‟s world majority of us have access to electronic

device to check documents!

My husband has a hobby of gardening which I enjoy too. He had a small just two inches tall Tulsi plant he bought

from the Maple Grove temple last year which he nurtured so well that in couple of months it grew up to about a

foot tall. It gives such a pleasure doing all this and a peace of mind as well.

First quarter of the year is already gone but that means we have three more quarters in hand for this year and its

better late than never. Or at least let‟s make a habit of doing this. Our next generation would learn from us.

Someone said this planet does not belong to us; we are just borrowing it from our future generations. April 22nd

is

the Earth Day. At least on that day please let‟s think once what we could do to keep the planet green? So who is

with me and Bordoichila?

I would like to thank Ritu Mahanta, Dr. Ajanta Mahanta, Jishnu Majumdar, Mrinal Goswami and Pankaj Brahma

for liking and providing valuable feedback on my thoughts via facebook.

There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem,

and a concerned person solves a problem. —Harold Stephens

Photo by Sarat Nath


Limericks Sanjeev Bordoloi

About the author: Sanjeev Bordoloi is an Associate Professor of Operations and

Supply Chain Management Department in University of St. Thomas, Minneapolis,

Minnesota. He pursued B. Tech. in Electrical Engineering from Institute of

Technology, Varanasi, India; M.B.A., operations/finance from Xavier Institute

(XLRI), Jamshedpur, India and then Ph.D. in operations management from

University of Texas, Austin. He lives in Golden Valley, Minnesota. This talented

personality is very well known in the community for his instant composition of

limericks and Bihu songs and of course his great sense of humor. In his free time

one may find him with a racquet in a tennis court or in a stadium watching some

super bowl or some other tournament or watching some live matches in the TV.

Minneapolis Bihu!

Please come to attend the Bihu in Minneapolis,

Which is much better than the one in Indianapolis, If you just follow Reza's plan, And stay away from Mexican flan, Then, nobody needs to call the police.

There's a great Bihu Toli in Minnesota, With Assamese also from North & South Dakota, Together all of us perform Husori In Tug-of-War, people go susori, But it's a great way to build Ekota.

In Minnesota Bihu Toli, food is in abandance, Some songs are cacophony, some have cadence, Ladies prepare masor tenga jul, Men try to play the Dhul, Finally, in the Mukoli Bihu, everyone needs to dance.

Photos by Nilanjona


Custom Gift Baskets, Distinctly Yours….. Sabina Zeenat

An inspirational story

About the author: Sabina Zeenat is the owner of Baskets Royale, a gift

basket business founded by her. Many people have lifelong dreams and in

most cases people may have talents and proper education. But how many

of them actually dedicate enough to see their dreams come true? Sabina is

just one of those few Assamese ladies who have come out to combine their

idea and knowledge to start up and then lead a business at their own to

success. An MBA by education she is well known in the community for her

creativity and organization skills. Here she describes the story of her

successful journey from the beginning. Sabina lives with her husband

Sarfaraz Taher and two daughters Sabriyah and Saniyah. Her contact

details are:

[email protected]

Ph: 651 766 7318

4391 McMenemy Street,

Vadnais Heights, MN 55127

www.basketsroyale.com

This is the story of my little business venture named “Baskets Royale”. As the name suggests

it is a gift basket business and it specializes in making customized gift baskets for all

occasions. Whatever the occasion or celebration, our gift baskets can express it all.

The dream to start a venture of my own started with the birth of our elder daughter. Even

though I loved my previous jobs, the new found motherhood in me kept me from taking up a

full time job after she was born. I wanted to take a break from the 9-to-5 schedule. Instead I

wanted something flexible which would help me stay home and at the same time stimulate

and satisfy my mind and passion. I always loved being creative and my preference for the right side of the brain

found its expression through the love of arts and crafts.

I came up with the idea of a Gift Basket venture precisely because of two reasons: Firstly, baskets have a visual

appeal. It‟s a gift which has an aesthetic charm. And secondly, it is a powerful medium through which the giver

can convey his or her thoughts and gratitude. It creates a memorable gift for the important occasion in one‟s

personal and professional life. Gift giving becomes a joy! The idea was to come up with a business which will

provide customers with high quality gift baskets and make their gifting needs convenient. I felt that my gift

baskets should be able to reflect the discerning taste of my customers.

This vision was followed by a venture. In 2003, we moved to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul and

with the help, support and guidance of my better half, Reza, we put together our business plans, looked at the legal

aspects and then applied for the business license. As part of the business plan, we did a pilot project to test how

the baskets would be received. I designed some baskets for my friends in Dec 2004 and these sample baskets had

holiday themed gourmet goodies. All of them were shrink-wrapped with white cellophane and to my greatest

satisfaction all my friends loved them. They liked the idea, the product and the look! I couldn‟t have been happier.

For the next two months I was busy making baskets so that I could take their pictures which would go into the

brochures. One of our rooms in the lower level of our home was turned into a studio. That‟s my workshop now

and we very aptly have named it the “basket room”. The baskets were as if super models and Reza would

painstakingly try to get that perfect shot for each one of them. We hired a brochure designer and a copywriter to

design the brochure and write the contents. Reza and I came up with the name and the logo and I went with my

favorite colors- purple and gold to symbolize Baskets Royale. Baskets Royale now stood for all things regal! The

http://www.basketsroyale.com/


printers were ready with our brochures along with the business cards and enclosure cards - all adorned with purple

and gold!

We formally launched Baskets Royale on Mar 5, 2005. It was a fundraiser at a local Montessori school and the

school had organized a silent auction. I donated a gourmet basket for the silent auction and the lady who bid on it

called me up later to say that she was very impressed with the quality of the assorted chocolates, cookies, crackers,

cheese and the spreads in the basket. I was thrilled because I created the basket with carefully selected items and I

wanted the premium quality to be the hallmark of our business.

I started with a handful of friends and a couple of local businesses in Roseville/Shoreview, MN, area as my clients

and over these six years I feel very blessed to see our baby grow and thrive. Today we cater to a host of local

businesses and individual clients spread all across the metro area. I feel fortunate that Baskets Royale has been

trusted by many companies to meet their corporate gifting needs. Notable among them are a medical device

company, local law offices, insurance companies, real estate, mortgage and title companies and the like. Besides,

we have also catered to a few businesses outside Minnesota for their local clients here in the metro area. My

membership in the White Bear Lake chapter of BNI (Business Networking International) has been my major

platform through which I market my company. This has helped my network grow.

Six years in operation now, Baskets Royale, has been the home to customized and personalized gift baskets for

any occasion under the sun! Mothers Day, Fathers day, Valentine‟s Day, Easter, Graduation, Summer time

barbeques are some of the occasion that keeps us on our toes! Holiday baskets are very popular and sought after

and it‟s by far the busiest time of the year for us. Besides these, the thank you baskets, the get well soon baskets,

new baby baskets, birthday baskets, sympathy baskets are always in demand throughout the year. The best part of

all is there is a basket to fit every price range and people‟s budget. Whether it‟s a small $20.00 basket or a massive

$200.00 basket, every little item is very tastefully selected and the basket is made as appropriate for the occasion,

as possible.

Many a times there are requests to customize a basket depending on the

recipient‟s likes and preferences. There have been a few ones which I

will always cherish. A year ago I customized a basket for a 4 year old

boy recovering from severe burns at the St. Paul Children‟s Hospital.

His mom works for a remodeling company and her colleagues at work

called me up to customize a fun basket for the 4 year old! They had a

few ideas and the rest they left it for me to decide. I went ahead and

filled up a basket with toys, cars, books, gummies, cookies, sphagetti-

o‟s and a sketch pad with crayons. All of these had the „Cars‟ theme on

it. It seems the little boy had a big smile on his face when he received

the basket and that made him momentarily forget his pains. It made his

stay in the hospital not so bad! When I heard this feedback, I felt proud of myself that I could bring a smile and

comfort to an injured little soul! That made my day indeed! Also I have customized baskets like the “Heart

healthy basket “ Inspirational movie themed basket” , “Fine European chocolate collection “, “The Spanish

Armada” , “The Gourmet Greek”, “ The French Lovers Basket”, “The Golf lovers basket” and “The English Tea

Time Basket”. These are some instances of highly customized baskets which I have made for some of my clients.

These are one of a kind creation and I love doing these kinds because it‟s challenging and fun at the same time.

So, what is it like to be a “mompreneur”? Any business owner comes across challenging moments and promising

moments on a daily basis. Maintaining a customer base, keeping the orders flowing, keeping expenses low,

marketing your brand and competing in the marketplace are some of the challenges we face on an everyday basis.

And it‟s no easy task when you have to deal with these issues in the midst of hauling your kids to their piano

lessons and swimming classes, keeping up with their play dates, homework and school projects. It does get

challenging at times when you have to juggle many balls in the air at the same time. Home based businesses may

be flexible but that flexibility alone does not let you achieve your business goals. You will have to make it happen.

If I don‟t choose to assemble and design a basket now because of other pressing demands I have to get it done

before I go to bed even if that means working until late in the night. As turnaround times are important to

customers there is always a need to dispatch or ship an order before a particular time frame to ensure timely

delivery.


I have realized that a business however small it is, has the same essence of a bigger corporation. Clear business

policies, transparency in dealings, a strong sense of business ethics, customer satisfaction, product innovation,

product differentiation and proper product pricing are some pillars on which all businesses stand. And we too

operate keeping these fundamentals in mind however small our business might be. As I see it, it‟s only a

microcosm of the larger corporate.

Owning Baskets Royale has been a learning process and an enriching experience. It has taught me how to deal

with growth and cope with crisis. It has taught me that revenues and profits are directly proportional to networking

and marketing your brand. Word of mouth marketing is a powerful tool and is like a fuel that keeps a home based

business like mine burning. Hence trade shows, networking events and social media is of paramount importance

for me and my company. The more I spread my wings the more I fly. Another valuable lesson I have learnt is that

“to be successful it is important to experiment; learn from them and be flexible enough to adapt to a strategy along

the way”.

Nice words from my customers and clients encourage me to dream big. Here is a testimonial from a web designer

who has been a long term customer of mine - “It‟s always a pleasure to gift my clients a basket from Baskets

Royale. They are very elegantly styled and are premium quality baskets. It satisfies even the hard to please

customer”.

Hope you liked reading this piece as much as I enjoyed writing about my baby where I have put my heart and soul

to see it grow. There is still a long way to go, but it‟s about doing a little bit every day towards realizing the bigger

dream.

Making of Bihu Committee - Sabina

The Assam_MN community decided to go for a more structured and formal organizing committee for

Rongali Bihu, 2011. The committee comprises of the following members:

Advisors: Devajyoti Kataky and Sanjeev Bordoloi

President: Sarfaraz Taher

Treasurer: Parvez Hussain

Cultural Secretary: Minti Deka and Pranab Sarma

Food Secretary: Arun Choudhury

Sports Secretary: Prantor Bora

Facilities Secretary: Somesh Barkataky

Public Relations Secretary: Sabina Zeenat

Each office bearer has formed a team of their own to carry out their function well. Kudos to you all for

working hard to make the Rongali Bihu celebrations a grand success!

Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. — Oscar Wilde

http://www.basketsroyale.com/catalog/item.php?item=NHO060


lXIecar

Short Story (cuiq gò) imnit mhn© Minati Mahanta

About the author (eliKkar ibxey) : Minati Mahanta is a creative

writer and has been writing several poems, short stories and articles in

various Assamese news papers and magazines for a long time. Ms

Mahanta hails from Dehing Namati Xatra where as a child she was

trained in Xatria and Sankari culture by her father cum Xatradhikar

guru. She is also the founder of late Guna Govinda Mahanta library

which was opened and donated to Naharkatia Govt middle school in

2008. As a writer she is engaged in various literary organizations in

Guwahati. She regularly performs Borgeet and recites her poems, read

her articles in local Xahitya Xabha and Lekhika Xamaroh meetings. She

visited Minneapolis in 2008 and now lives in Guwahati with her son Ritu

Mahanta and family. Her contact number is 91-98640-11226.

Aaij lXIpUja| Ger Ger Aaij caik, mm, ilcu lafq ftYaid j³ileC| muQet lXIedwIk Aadirb~l

skelaew WiQ pir laigeC| rajýwa ÄÅant p\itma ÄÅapn kir pueraihet m « mait rjnjnaf AaeC|

rait ekaena ekaena Qaft nac-gan, naqk Aaidera bYwÄÅa kireC| pUiNma rait| Pir#Puqa ejanak|

btr Prkal | emel# gaO*Kneta pUjar bYitß¡m Gqa naf| eJey iJder paer esfderf Gr barI

pTar skelaet caik jlaf lXIedwIk Aadrar Aaeyajn kireC| esf gaw*et buduram namr Eqa

gBaft ecar AaiCl| is br duKIya, piryalt fPael tar saetaqa p\aNI| maiq-barI ba sa-sºpiÝ

builb~l Eekaew naf| eseyeh is idnt haijra kirbel‟ pael ker nh‟el Grt Eeka Kabel

naTaikel rait eKawabÃª ibcair Olaf Jay| esfderf is piryaleqa epahpal id AaeC| taemal-paNr

idnt taemal paN, AaeGanr idnt pTarr pra pka Danr muiQ, kaerabar Grr Bra*lt Jid bah*r

ebra Taek, cuk kaiq Ìiq Dan Oilyaf ~l Aaeh| h*ah-kukura gr*alr pra Ana, barIr Sak-pacil

iJekaena eKawabÃª paelf h‟l| Ebar Efder taemal cur kirb~l gCt LiQ duf Aa*Qut dueQaka

taemal iCiM gCr pra tl~l naim Aaeh*aet tlr mhr GUilet piriCl| mheqaew icE¦rat g_hÄÅf sar

paf ecark haet elaeq Dir ekfiptnman id Tanat gqaf idiCl| ipeC ekfidnman Tanar lk

Aapt Taik Olaf Aaih is Aaeko cur kirb~l DiriCl|

Efbar lXIpUjat skelaer Grt caik j´lafeC| ik ª buduramr etl-caik j´label‟ samT naf|

esfidna tar kaJY manuhr Gret krar isáa © kir kaæt EKn gaemaCa Aañ Eqa emana ~l Grr

pra Olaf g‟l| ekfbaGera manuhr Gr par ~h EGr manuhr Grt is ikba Eqa Baib esamaf g‟l|

lXIpUjat manueh Grr duwar iKirik rait Kuil Ty| lXI Aaihbr baeb| buduramr epeq epeq h*aih


LiQl…lXI Aaihbr baeb en lXI Olaf Jabr baeb! pUjar baeb esf manuhGrr smuKr duwarKn

eKala AaiCl| is laeh~k iBtr~l esamaf ~g ediKel, ZaMr ZaMr cair gC caik ebelg ebelg Qaft

jµelawa AaeC| p\Tmet epawa caikgCr kaxet Tka bakc Eqaek Kuilel| lXI pUiNmat epra, c®duk

Aaidr caib Kuil raeK, Jaet lXIedwI Aaih epra Dn-esaeNer Opcaf eplabih paer| buduraem sueJag

enehñwaf eprar iBtrt iJman iJ pael, qka-pfca ftYaid lgt inya gaemaCaKnt emiryaf baiæ

l‟el| lget esf caikgC is numuwaf eplabel‟ enpahirel, karN Ocrt Tka sa-sºpd iKin ~l

Anar pact tat Aañ ik lXI Taikb paer| esfder Efbar is fyar ipCt duf nîr caikgCr

Ocr~l buil Aag baiVl| tat Aañ Eqa epra AaiCl| Kuil caf tar buku DpDpaf g‟l…egaeqf Aa-

Al#kaerer epraeqa Bir AaiCl| tarmaen is Aaij br DnI EGrt hat idelih! ekityaO is

eKawabÃªr baed AnY Eeka eten~k cur kra naiCl| hyeta lXIAafr Aaij f¤Ca eJ Aaijr pra

Aañ is cur kirb enlaeg, gitek smÄ© Dn-sºpdiKin Aaijeyf id ideC| taek Baib is br

suKImener iJman paer isman ekñmiN, TurIya, ghnapaitebar ek*acpait cpaf ~l emanat Berawat

laigl| ikCuman haet-iZiMey-AaMuiley ipiæO l‟el| iJehtu lXIey Aañ tatena Taik ik kirb

fyaek Baib tat Tka caik giCO numuwaf ~T Aaihl| Efbar itin nîr caikgCr Ocr pael~g is

hatt saer Birt saer| taeta Eqa epra AaiCl, caib Kuil eTawa AwÄÅat| Efeqa eprat Aaeko egaeqf

ka*h-iptlr AmUlY bacn ikCuman AaeC| Qaih Qaih is taera bacn ikCuman eJen eten emanar

iBtrt Aañ ecalar iBtrt fipen isipen Braf l‟el| esf caikgeCa is numuwaf ~T Aaihl| tar

Aañ bÃª Brab~l Qaf nafikya h‟l| tTaipO is ctuT^ caikgCr Ocr~l buil men men Aag baiVl|

tat ba Aañ ik AaeC! Ef caikgCr Ocer pajer ZaMr epra ba bakc Eeka enediKel is| ikºª

esya ebaDkera Tapna AaiCl karN Ocrt DUp legawar icn AaeC Aañ Bgwanr Peqa duKnman

sejawa AaeC lget| tat Alp qka-pfcaO ediKel is, esya ebaDkera pUjar Airhna| esfekfqa

pfca is l‟b~l f¤Ca nkirel is| karN tar fitmeDYf být jma ~heC| Eitya esfiKinek is inb

pairelf hy| Aañ lXIedwIey eJn Aañ sdaeyf lg idey Aañ Jaet is cur kirb enlaeg tar

bYwÄÅa h‟elf hy| Eqa kam kirel eken hy? Ef manuhGrteqa Eitya is bÃªebar ~l eJawar ipCt

lXI enTaikb br# tar Grteh Taikb, etenh‟el Ef caikgiC numuwaf ~T eJawar slin is ~l g‟el

eken hy? lXI tar leg leg Jab Aañ tar Aañ icº©a enaehawa h‟b, jIwneqar bakIeCawa edir~k

h‟elO suKmy h‟b| taek Baib tar mneqat br Saiº© laigl| is Aañ cur kir Kab enlaeg| manueh

tak ecar buil enha*eh| tar Greqa Efderf ndn bdn h‟b| Br*alt Dan h‟b, egahailt gñ h‟b|

maiq-barI ikin pkaGr bnab| Aar ic ic Gr h‟el ipCel bhlaf egaeqfebar Eekleg Taikb|

epanah*tr Gr-s#sar h‟el být Qaf laigb nhy| Eitya hyeqa epanah*et paQSalat namkena lgab

pairb| tar der Aaijr s*aj naKaO*etf kaf~l ik Kab icº©a kir mirb enlaeg| Efbuil Baib is

sº©pen laeh~k is caikgC tuil l‟el| ikºª haet-gaey Ajs\ bÃª Tka baeb caikgC is eken~k inb!

eSxt isáaº© kir tar mUrr Opret caik gC ~l is Olaf Aaihbel saju h‟l| karN EenO iJehtu

edwI, eJeneten~k Aainb enawaer is, mUreqaewf h‟b JeTapJuÝ¡ Qaf| esankael Gr epawar AaSaer


is Efbar is tta~tya~k Aaihb Kuijel| ipeC mUrr Oprt Tka caikgC Kr~k eKaj idbel elawar

pret ehe®dalint grm etl Olaf tar mUrr cuilt pirl| Aañ egaeqf gaet laigl! Aañ caikr

juey hQaet tar cuilt, kaær gaemaCaKn Aañ kaeparr etl pra A#SiKint ibyip pirl|is jufr

epariNt tt` ehñwab~l Direl| mirela } mirela } buil icE¦rt is ggn Pailel| tar Aaqah öin

g_hÄÅ Aañ Aanik Ocr cuburIya rafeja Olaf Aaihl| manuhebaer Aaih ediKel eJ buduram ecaer cur

kir plab KuijiCl hyeta, ikºª etenet tar gat juf lgar baeb is Dra pirl| manuhebaer tak

jufr pra bcael JidO tak hiÄptal~l inyar smyet dujnman gE¦af puilceta Kbr id Aaihl|

hiÄptalr pra ipCt Olaf ejflt Emah man kqaf buduram Gr~l GUir Aaihl| Efbar buduraem

tar kukamr baeb br~k pÄ©af AaiCl| Aañ Aaih eplaf is ediKel eJ iJKn g*awr manuhr Grr

praf is cur kir Atiden Kaf AaiCl, esf gaw*r rafejf tar piryaleqa tar Abt^mant

ecawaicta kir AaeC! is Aañ jIwnt cur nkera buil Efbar p\itÔa kirel| Ocr cuburIyar p\it is

gd gd h‟l Aañ p\kaeSY Xma Kuij Eqa ntun jIwnr patin emilel|

000

(cartoonist unknown…compiled by a Facebook friend)


Three Powers to Treasure Geeti Das Poem

About the author: Geeti Das, a Business Systems Consultant

at Wells Fargo Shareowner Services in her own words about

her she‟s all for “LoLiLa” (Love, Live, Laugh). she would love

to analyze a complete different world. She always would have

wanted to spend some time with the elderly and seniors, find a

meaningful way to help them with whatever way she could. She

loves to see the world through her kid‟s eyes and believes that

her husband is all for Solutions and Simplifying. Her hobbies

are Photography, Creativity, Smiley Faces and going for

Vacations. She lives with her husband Prantor Bora and

children Nimisha and Taj in Apple Valley, MN. Here through

this poem she is trying to express her deep feelings on the

memory of her Jethu (uncle) whom her family lost in mid 2010.

O‟ dear Jethu, where are you?

You are not with us today, but why do I still hear you.

You showed us a lot to learn, and then left us all.

Your Cheerfulness, Optimism and Humor made life sunnier for all.

Your Cheerfulness was your beauty.

You were always lighthearted and happy.

Your Optimism showed us the light.

Sure helped us to get over the few bumps in life.

Your power of Humor is what we will always remember.

You knew the best medicine is laughter.

Every day to you was sunny.

We all loved you because you were truly, so funny.

You always lightened the burdens of others.

For many children, you were like their true Father.

Your Three Powers that we will forever treasure.

Cheerfulness, Optimism and Humor will certainly make our lives hopeful and brighter.

***

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. ……. Michael Althsuler


ejeQar ibeyagt….. mukul das (Mukul Dass)

About the author: This is another tribute note to Jethu by Geeti Das originally written in English and here

translated by her father Mukul Dass into Assamese as below. Mr. Dass visited Minneapolis in 2009 with his

wife and currently lives in Guwahati.


***

When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my religion. —Abraham Lincoln


Kiddie corner Joy is everywhere Nibir Sarma Poetry

About the author: Nibir Sarma, a 5th Grader at Oak Point

Intermediate School, loves to do creative writing and read books; but

mostly enjoys reading fantasy novels. He lives in Eden Prairie, MN

with his parents Namita Sarma and Pankaj Sarma and younger

brother Samir. Nibir also loves to play Piano and play soccer.

I’m walking down the street,

I need to pause and think,

About whatever I don’t see,

Is it real? Is it real?

If I saw a Pegasus in the sky,

I would believe that horses could fly,

Just then, a dragon came down to me,

And I jumped onto its back;

I saw

The city from up above,

I smelled

The fresh scent of air,

I felt

The breeze in the sky,

Joy is everywhere,

Joy is everywhere.

As the dragon flew over the sea,

“Where are we going?” asked me.

“Far, far away,” the dragon replied.

And it took me to see

A place where

Grass is always green,

A place where

There is always peace,

A place where

Everyone was waiting for me,

So I stood up and I looked,

And,

I saw a city that I would lead,

I smelled perspiration from hard work,

I felt the delighted people’s hugs,

Joy is everywhere,

Joy is everywhere.

Joy is everywhere,

Joy is everywhere,

I saw

The true grace of God,

I smelled

The burning flame,

I felt

The good sense of joy,

It is everywhere,

Joy is everywhere.


From the Files of Camp Half-Blood: Rescue Operation #385: Freddie Smith ………Monster(s): Drakon, species unknown Nibir Sarma

Fiction

The day I joined Camp Half-Blood was a day that changed my life. Let me start from the beginning. I‟m Freddie

Smith, a sixth grader at Oak Point Intermediate. I got up that morning at 6:14. I groaned and sat up in bed. I got

out of bed and went to brush and floss my teeth. I got some toast out of the cupboard and toasted it. I don‟t really

need to go into detail about what I did that morning, so let me flash forward to 8:45. “Okay,” said my teacher, Mr.

Busch. “Today we are going to the PAL (Performing Arts Lab) to see a presentation about Pennies for Patients

with the other sixth graders.”

When we got to the PAL and were in our seats, a woman stepped up front, faced us, and started gabbing. “How

long will this take?” I muttered to my friend, Logan. Then, suddenly, a drakon (no, not a dragon. There‟s a

difference.) Burst through the wall and started breathing fire and making everything explode.

Everyone started screaming and ran for the exit. Then, six kids came in, armed with swords and old-fashioned

weapons. As for me, I was still sitting in my seat, petrified by merely looking at the Drakon. The other kids

charged at the Drakon and another kid came in. He walked up to me and said, “Hi, my name is Percy, and my dad

is Posiedon.” Then this kid, Percy starts explaining about the gods and a camp and stuff like that, while the other

ones took down the Drakon.

After the other kids killed the drakon, they introduced themselves: Annabeth, Clarisse, Chris, Nico, Butch, and

Miranda. Then, the seven of them led me outside where a huge chariot was parked in the parking lot. “Let‟s go for

a ride,” said Annabeth, twirling some keys around her finger.

●●●

One wild flying (yes, I said flying) chariot ride later, we crashed into the Long Island Sound (yes, Long Lake,

New York, we‟d traveled that far on the chariot). A guy ran up to us and said, “Clarisse! I said you could borrow

the chariot, not smash it up!” “Sorry, Will,” said Clarisse. “I wish I cared.” Will cursed. Suddenly everyone

pointed above my head. “What?” I asked. “It‟s rude to point.” “There‟s a caduceus above your head. Then a

centaur said loudly, “We have Freddie, son of Hermes!” No one cheered.


What we’re all about! Ashmita Sarma

Song

About the author: Ashmita is a 6th grader at Wayzata East

middle School. She loves to read; write, draw, and unicycle,

play piano; plays the cello and also performs Bharatnatyam.

She lives with her brother Ayan and parents Purabi Sarma and

Anjan Sarma in Maple Grove, MN.

Instead of heads in the clouds

We’ve got our heads in the books

We’re not worried ‘bout the future

‘Cause we like how it looks

Our lives will be good today

When a problem arises

We find a solution

We can learn to have fun

While graphing a function

We’ve got minds the size,

Of super computers

And we still love to

Play with our mind boosters.

It’s what we’re all thinkin’ about

For an hour and then

We’ll know more about the world

And a little more’s unfurled

While our IQ’s increasing again

See you all later in the science lab

Let’s start testing right away

We’ll put our lab coats on

And we’ll be brains over brawn

And we’ll observe the night away.


The Mysterious Creek Ayan Sarma Story

About the author: Ayan Sarma is a 3rd grader at the Kimberly Ln

Elementary School in Plymouth. He likes to read, play chess, piano and

basketball. He lives in Maple Grove with his sister Ashmita and parents

Purabi Sarma and Anjan Sarma.

The creek is an esoteric place to be in every season. When I think of the creek,

I think of it as mysterious. We have gone around the creek for a long time,

although there are a lot of different paths and challenges such as going under

the bridge. We also have to face the challenges of climbing small narrow hills,

climbing trees to see where we are at, so that we can find our way home,

getting our feet stuck in roots, and in winter you have to make sure the ice

doesn‟t break otherwise you will fall in the creeks freezing water.

In summer the creek‟s tepid water slowly flows under the sharp rocks as we

walk across the creek. Our knees get scratched by the sharp thorns and burs that grow along the creek. The creek is

a beautiful place in summer.

In fall it is a great place to be in. The leaves reflect against the water which shines with delight. The leaves that

have fallen in wind the creek flows with compassion as we keep on walking across the narrow path. The knotted

branches are another obstacle we have to pass. Fall is a magnificent in the creek.

In winter the creek is a splendid spot. We go on the ice although there is a great chance you will fall in the cold

fast flowing water. To try to get to the other side you should move your feet fast and try to balance your weight. It

also feels cold and long because of all the snow it feels like you haven‟t gone very far. Winter is challenging when

you are in the wonderful creek.

In spring the creek is the busiest time of the year. We enjoy trying to jump from one side to the other side. In

spring there is this very deep spot in the creek that we do enjoy. We put our feet into the deep spot where we can

take a rest. Fall is a peaceful but powerful place.

There are all kinds of animals around us. We once saw a beaver dam that seemed pretty sturdy. There are also

squirrels around the creek although there are not in the creek. We also saw little holes that we wondered which

animal made it and is full of cool creatures.

The creek is good in all seasons from winter to fall. There are also many animals that live there. It is an

important part of our neighborhood. The creek is exiting, fun, adventurous, and mysterious.


Jamaica Sabriyah Taher

Poem

About the author: Sabriyah Taher is ten and half years old and is a

5th grader at Turtle Lake Elementary School in Shoreview, MN. She

loves to play the piano and read books on Greek Mythology. She is the

elder daughter of Sabina Zeenat and Sarfaraz Taher.

Jamaica is a great place to be.

It‟s a paradise in the Caribbean Sea,

The climate is warm and our vacation was a spree.

Under the warm sun, „tis perfect for swimming,

The party‟s on all night, it‟ll never be dimming!

The ocean is rich blue, the sunset deep scarlet,

At night, the navy-blue sky is star-lit.

As you are running on the beach, you hear the sand “swish” between

your toes,

The evening is always filled with laughter and musical shows.

The sand is smooth and creamy-white,

There‟s always a slight breeze, perfect to fly a kite.

Also, there is a cricket ground in Kingston, called Sabina Park,

Cricketers come here from all over the world, and they certainly have a lark!

In Negril, there‟s the famous Rick‟s Café, right on the cliff,

It smells just like the beach from there, if you take a little whiff.

In Ocho Rios, there‟s Dunn River Falls,

It sounds just like the waves, mimicking its calls.

We stayed in the charming Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay,

“It‟s the best place in the world!” as everyone would say.

It was fun and games „til the day was done,

When you said hello, they respond “Eahmon,”

After reading this poem, I hope you all agree that Jamaica is a great place to be.

Photo by Sabriyah


Bed time stories Kabita Nath

About the author: Kabita is a pre-kindergartener and she loves to

do painting and puzzles. According to her everything can be

expressed with the help of shapes, drawings and music. Her favorite

pastime however is playing with her little sister, dancing hop-hop

and composing and singing her own story-like songs. She currently

lives in San Francisco bay area with her sister Shruti and parents

Nilanjona and Sarat Nath.

[Mom‟s note: All kids love to listen or make up stories. Story-teller

Kabita is often requested by her parents to tell stories to her little

sister Shruti at bed time. Just wanted to share couple of them because

it is amazing to see the extent of children‟s imagination at her age.

Usually the two sisters fall asleep after just one or two such story

session!]

(1) The two silly sisters

Once upon a time there was a pretty girl her name was Kabita. She

had a cute little sister and her name was Sweetie. They both loved

Barbie and the mermaid stories. One day they went out to the Oceana

to pretend to be like mermaids. They found some tails to wear. Then they played hide and seek together, they

tickled each other, they ate yummy food and drank lots of milk together. Then their mommy and daddy called

them from the beach. They came out of Oceana and built a sand castle together and then they lived happily ever

after. The end.

(2) Friends

Once upon a time there were some cute friends in Minneapolis. Their names were Kabita, Ruhi, Sweetie, Reisha,

Nimisha, Aarhi, Sangeet, Devarsh, Pinky and Annie. There were big kids too. Like Ashmitaba, Riyahba, Pookyba,

Ayandada, Nibirdada and Samirdada. But they sang a different song in Bihu. All the cute friends were wearing

Bihu dress like mommy and deta. They sang a beautiful song together. The name of the song was “Pasoli Bagisa”

everybody practiced the song very well. Everybody clapped when they were done singing. Everybody asked them

to sing again and again. And again and again! And agaaainnnn and again!! They were not tired because they got

yummy-yummy candies after the song. Then everybody said good job! Good job! The end. [The cute friends performed Pasoli Bagisa in

2010 Bihu in Minneapolis. Visit any of these links

for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8IaxxHpgDc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eWR2Ikmy0s]

Kabita with her sister Shruti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8IaxxHpgDc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eWR2Ikmy0s


How to make a Smoothie Samir Sarma

Recipe

About the author: Samir is a first

grader at Cedar Ridge Elementary

school, Eden Prairie who likes to play

many different games; sometimes can

make up his own game. He likes

reading and writing. He lives in Eden

Prairie with his brother Nibir and

parents Namita and Pankaj Sarma.

Method:

1. Get one or more kinds of berries – for example Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries etc. and wash them.

2. Add banana if you want it to be sweeter.

3. Take the blender out.

4. Put berries, bananas and add milk.

5. Put the cover on and hold tight with one hand.

6. Press Puree button.

7. After all are mixed together, press the off button and pour into glasses.

8. Drink and Enjoy!!

Tip: You can make more than one serving, make sure you drink all of them!!!!

Now you can make smoothie at home with your family.


Princess Hut Nimisha Bora

Short story

About the author: (in her own words) I am a cool Kindergartener. I go to Cedar Park Elementary School in

Apple Valley. School is really fun. I love to learn and play new things every day. Besides my family, crayons

and markers are my best friends. I love to draw and color anything that involves patterns. I love to read and

enjoy reading stories to my little brother. I love to play princess and dress-up. I also enjoy guessing games,

puzzles and crosswords. I want to be an Artist when I grow up. (But daddy wants me to be a scientist. So

mommy says I can be an artistic scientist). I enjoy being a caring big sister. I love my family, my Aaita - Koka

and all my friends. Hope you all love me too.


Aaim jyI h‟emf!

(Original: We shall overcome…) –AsmIya~l Anubad: nIla×na

Song gIt

Aaim jyI h‟emf, jyI h‟emf Eidn

Aaim jyI h‟emf Eidn nhy Eidn..

gBIr A ©rr ekaNt AaSar ~l Eiq ikrN

Aaim jyI h‟emf Eidn|

enedKajen ediK AaeC, Aamak AajIwn

esf AaSIx iSrt ~l kireCa ibcrn


Aaim jyI h‟emf Eidn|

epahr Anagt, Eitya ehMul-haftalr imln

tmsa ehraelf h‟b Aaeko ejYaitÁman


Aaim epahrr muKamuiK h‟emf Eidn|

AaSar bailGr Aaim Eekleg saijm

haet hat Dir Aaim AagbaiVm


kaljyI Aaim h‟emf Eidn|

sahsI Aaimebar, KaimZaQ mn

Aañ eJn Eekaiq ~sink ByhIn


inBIk Aaim jyI h‟emf Eidn|

stYr piriDey kirb eZLka p\dan

inibv idgblyt Aamar lXY iblIn


stYr piTk Aaim jyI h‟emf Eidn|

ecoideS Aaij Saiº©r kepor ibcrn

muÝ¡ btah, muÝ¡ mnr s#gIn


Sai ©kamI Aaim jyI h‟emf Eidn|

Peqa: bNalI egaüamI, Lfc`knicn


Sketch Aradhana Choudhury (Ruhi)

About the artist: Ruhi is a pre-school student who loves to dance, play the piano and do painting. She lives in

Eden Prairie, MN with her parents Rashmi Baruah and Arun Choudhury.

Sketch #1: Gamosa

Sketch#2: Xorai


B for Ball Taj Bora (by Geeti Das)

One and half year old Taj loves to play Ball. In this poem written by his mom one could feel how much he likes

balls, does not matter whether it is an orange or a tennis ball? It just has to be something round!


Trivia for kids - Assam State Symbols etc. -compiled by Sabina and Nilanjona

Source & Acknowledgements: Wikipedia etc.

1. What is Assam’s state song?

Answer: O’ Mur Aponar Dex composed by Lakshminath

Bezbaruah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fXtggHSI6I

2. What is our state motto?

Answer: Joi Aai Oxom or Hail mother Assam

3. What is our state flower?

Answer: Kopou Phool or the foxtail orchid

4. What is our state tree?

Answer: Hollong or Dipterocarpus macrocarpus

5. What is our state animal?

Answer: Gor or the one- horned rhinoceros

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fXtggHSI6I


6. What is our state bird?

Answer: Deohaah or the white winged wood

duck

7. What is our state literary society?

Answer: Oxom Sahitya Sabha or Assam Literary

Society

8. What is our state language

Answer: Assamese

9. What is the state capital of Assam

Answer: Dispur (Guwahati)

10. What is the state seal?

Answer: Oxom Sorkar or Government of Assam

11. What is our state festival?

Answer: Bihu

12. What is our state dance?

Answer: Bihu dance.


From Bordoichila’s kitchen

Bihu greetings from Bordoichila! Here‟s some traditional mouth-watering Assamese fish curry basic recipe. The

detailed recipe and pictures are not provided here in order to keep the International river fish committee delegates

risk-free from two-legged fish-lovers‟ sudden attack. However fish-lovers may keep a copy of Bordoichila in their

kitchen to try some hands on when they get a chance.

i. Masor tenga with bilahi, potato, dhania- (sour fish curry with tomato and cillantro)

Ingredients: Rohu or any carp cuts, tomato, potato, cilantro/coriander leaves, salt, turmeric

powder, cumin powder, salt per taste. It also goes well with catfish or tilapia.

Method:

Fry cut fish pieces with turmeric and salt in oil to crispy light brown and keep them aside.

Heat couple spoon of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Fry the potato pieces with

pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Then add the chopped tomato. Add some turmeric

powder and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when it becomes like gravy add the

fried fish pieces and mix. Add hot water, stir and boil for five to ten minutes. Just before serving

sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve with hot plain rice.

ii. Masor tenga with bilahi, jatilao-

Ingredients: pabda or rohu cut, tomato, jatilao, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion,

cumin powder, salt

Method:


Heat couple spoon of oil and fry some chopped onion, garlic, ginger to light brown. Fry the

chopped jatilao with pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Then add the chopped tomato. Add

some turmeric powder and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when it becomes like

gravy add the fried fish pieces and mix. Add hot water, stir and boil for five to ten minutes. Just

before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve with hot plain rice.

iii. Masor tenga with jatilao-

Ingredients: pabda or rohu cut, jatilao, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion, cumin

powder, salt, green chillies

Method:

Same as above, just no tomato.


Heat couple spoon of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Fry the chopped tomato

with pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Then add the jatilao pieces. Add some turmeric

powder and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when it becomes like gravy add the

fried fish pieces and mix. Add hot water, stir and boil for five to ten minutes. Add some cut green

chillies. Just before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve with hot plain rice.

iv. Masor tenga with thekera-

Ingredients: rohu cut, dry black thekera pieces, potato, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic,

onion, cumin powder, salt, green chillies

Method:

Soak the thekera pieces in warm water for few hours in a non-metallic bowl.




pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Add some turmeric powder and mix them in medium

heat. Add the fried fish pieces and mix. Add hot water, the thekera pieces and the water. Stir and

boil for five to ten minutes. Just before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve

with hot plain rice.

v. Masor tenga with apple!!-

Ingredients: fish, green peeled apple pieces-seeds removed, ginger, garlic, onion, cumin powder

(or paachpuron) or chaat masala, salt, green chillies, pepper powder, mint leaves, little bit of

suger.

Method:


Make a paste of ginger, garlick, green chillies, onion.

Heat couple spoon of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Fry the apple pieces with

pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder or chaat masala. Add some turmeric powder and mix

them in medium heat. After two minutes when it becomes like gravy add the fried fish pieces and

mix. Add hot water, stir and boil for five to ten minutes. Add some pepper powder and half spoon

of sugar. Just before serving sprinkle some mint leaves. Serve with hot plain rice.

vi. Masor tenga with nemu (lemon), potato-

Ingredients: fish, lemon or lemon juice, potato, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion,

cumin powder, salt, green chillies

Method:



Heat couple spoon of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Add the paste. Fry the

potato pieces with pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Add some turmeric powder and mix

them in medium heat. Add the fried fish pieces and mix for one minute. Add hot water, stir and

boil for five to ten minutes. Just before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Add the

lemon juice. Serve with hot plain rice.

vii. Mas aru horiyoh- this is the superhit one goes great with any fish!!

Ingredients: fish, ½ tsp white mustard powder, 1 tsp mustard seeds flake, potato, coriander leaves

(optional), ginger, garlic, onion, cumin powder, salt, green chillies

Method:




pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Add the ginger-garlic-onion-chillies paste. Add some

turmeric powder and mix them in medium heat. After one minute add the fried fish pieces and

mix. Add the mustard powder, mustard flakes, hot water, stir and boil for five to ten minutes. Just

before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves, add some green chillies. Serve with hot

plain rice.

viii. Mas aru jika-

Ingredients: fish, jika, potato, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion, cumin powder,

salt, green chillies. Red whole pepper (optional)

Method:




Heat couple spoons of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Fry the potato pieces with

pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Then add the chopped jika. Add some turmeric powder

and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when it becomes like gravy add the fried fish

pieces and mix such that fish pieces are not smashed further. Add hot water, red peppers, then stir

and boil for five to ten minutes. Just before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve


ix. Mas aru kumura-

Ingredients: fish, boga kumura, potato, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion, cumin

powder, salt, green chillies.

Method:



Heat couple spoons of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Fry the potato pieces with

pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Then add the chopped kumura. Add some turmeric

powder and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when water comes out of kumura add

the fried fish pieces and mix such that fish pieces are intact. Add hot water, stir and boil for five

to ten minutes. Just before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves, green shillies. Serve


x. Mas aru rongalao-

Ingredients: fish, rongalao (pumpkin), potato, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion,

cumin powder or garam masala, salt, green chillies.

Method:

Fry fish pieces with turmeric and salt in oil to crispy light brown and keep them aside.


Heat couple spoons of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Fry the potato and

pumpkin pieces with pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder or garam masala. Add some

turmeric powder and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes add the fried fish pieces and

mix. Make sure while mixing you don‟t break the fish pieces any further. Add hot water, stir and

boil for five to ten minutes. Just before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve

with hot plain rice and mint chutney.

xi. Mas aru teel-

Ingredients: fish, black sesame seeds or teel, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion,

cumin powder or garam masala, salt, green chillies.

Method:

Fry the teel in a dry pan and grind. Make a thin paste by adding water.



Heat couple spoon of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Add the garlic-onion-

ginger-chillies paste. Add pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Add the teel paste. Add some

turmeric powder and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when it becomes like gravy

add the fried fish pieces and mix. Add hot water, stir and boil for five to ten minutes. Just before

serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve with hot plain rice and pappar.

xii. Mas aru bengena-

Ingredients: fish, bengena (eggplant), potato, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion,

cumin powder, salt, green chillies. Tomato (optional).


Method:




pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Add the garlic-onion-ginger-chillies paste. Then add the

chopped eggplants. You may add some chopped tomato here. Add some turmeric powder and

mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when it becomes like gravy add the fried fish pieces

and mix. Add hot water, stir and boil for five to ten minutes. Just before serving sprinkle some

dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve with hot plain rice.

xiii. Mas aru paleng-

Ingredients: fish, paleng xaak (spinach), tomato, coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion,

cumin powder, salt, green chillies.

Method:

Fry fish pieces with turmeric and salt in oil to crispy light brown and keep them aside.


Heat couple spoon of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Fry the chopped tomato

pieces with pinch of salt, little bit of cumin powder. Then add the chopped spinach or blended

spinach paste. Add some turmeric powder and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when

it becomes the gravy is think add the fried fish pieces and mix. Add hot water, stir and boil for

five to ten minutes. Just before serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve with hot

plain rice.

The same recipe goes well with Laai Xaak too. With Laai Xaak one may add some pre-cooked

dal.

xiv. Mas aru narahingha pat-

Ingredients: fish, narasimha paat (curry leaves), coriander leaves (optional), ginger, garlic, onion,

cumin powder, salt, green chillies. Lemon juice

Method:



Blend narasimha paat and make a thin paste.

Heat couple spoon of oil and fry some chopped onion to light brown. Add the garlic-onion-

chillie-ginger paste. Add little bit of salt and cumin powder. Add the narasimha paste and some

turmeric powder and mix them in medium heat. After two minutes when it becomes like gravy

add the fried fish pieces and mix. Add hot water, stir and boil for five to ten minutes. Just before

serving sprinkle some dhania/ coriander leaves. Serve with hot plain rice.


GGGUUUEEESSSTTT AAAUUUTTTHHHOOORRR CCCOOONNNTTTRRRIIIBBBUUUTTTIIIOOONNN:::

RONGALI BIHU Geetima Baruah Sarma

Poem

About the author: Geetima Baruah has been writing poems since November 2009 and her compositions have

been published in newspapers, websites, etc. She resides in Umrongso, Dima Hasao district of Assam, India.

Spring has arrived

And Bohag beckons,

Parents await their

Homeward sons.

The cuckoo sings

And kopou blooms,

Dancers dance

To the Bihu tunes.

Tinge of jetuka

On the delicate hands,

Offering Bihuwan

To pay reverence.

Chira, pitha, laru,

Home-made delicacies,

Muga mekhela-chador,

Pride of the ladies.

Dhol, pepa, gogona,

Rendition by Husori,

Merriment fills the aura,

Ah! Spirit of Rongali!

Photo by Nirmali Das, Numaligarh


SWIKRITI (üIk_it) Buljit Buragohain

News and Information

About the author: Buljit Buragohain is a research scholar in IIT, Guwahati. He hails from Bhehpara, Dhemaji,

Assam. He pursued B.E. (Mechanical) from Jorhat Engineering College and M. Tech (Energy) from Tezpur

University. Buljit is associated with XOBDO (World's first and only North East Indian Regional Languages -

English Online Dictionary, http://xobdo.net), FASS (Friends of Assam

and Seven Sisters, http://www.fass.infoedindia.com/), Proyaash

(http://proyaash.blogspot.com/2008/04/executive-

committee.html), Xomidhan (Career Counseling,

http://www.xomidhan.org/), Enajori (http://www.enajori.com/),

and Sakori (A place for all Assam and NE jobs,

http://www.sakori.org/). In most of the Assamese online

communities, he is also keeping people informed on the positive

developments of Assam on a regular basis from the year 2000.

Buljit would like to share these links with the readers of

Bordoichila:

http://goodnews.bihu.in/

http://importantnews.bihu.in/

http://dhemaji.bihu.in/

http://nishabagare.bihu.in/

http://assamnews.bihu.in/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/buljitburagohain/

Buljit‟s Assam related website address list http://websitebuljit.blogspot.com/ containing a list of more than 400

websites. He can be reached at [email protected] or +91-9435188630.

üIk_it Swikriti)

“üIk_it” namr egaq Eqa ePfcbukt 03|03|2011 taireK gQn kra ~heC| Aaim jaena eJ Asmr skela

ijlaet/ Bartbx^r ibiBç AÕlt/ ibedSr ibiBç AÕlt Tka Asmr býeta elakr Asmr smaj jIwnr

ibiBç eXß~l AirhNa AaeC| ik¯ª esf být bYiÝ¡r ibxey Aaim najaena ba ikCumanr ibxey m_tuY ehawar

ipCteh jainbel‟ paO*| ibiBç eXßt AirhNa eJaegawa bYiÝ¡sklk jIyaf Taekaetf üIk_it idel Bal hy|

Aahk Aamar injr injr AÕlt ibiBç eXßt AirhNa eJaegawa bYiÝ¡sklr tailka p\Äªt kera|

üIk_it idb eKaja bYiÝ¡skl iJekaena eXßr h‟b paer| eJen: iSXa jgt, raj~nitk jgt, saihtY cc^a,

sa#baidkta, s#gIt, naqk, icß-BaÁkJ^, ß¡Iva jgt, ibÔan cc^a Aaid……| Aaepanaelaek Aaepanaelakr

bæusklk “üIk_it” egaqetar kTa jnaO*k Aañ fyat A#S g \hN kirb~l AnueraD krk| rafjr ikba

idha-pramS^ Taikel muÝ¡mener AagbVab paer| Aaepanaelakr idha-pramS^ ibcaireCa*| mf tailkat esf skl

bYiÝ¡r namO A¯©BU^Ý¡ ehawaeta ibcaireCa* iJskl bYiÝ¡ey Aaepanar ckut smajr kareN kam kir AaeC laigel

is sñ kaemf hOk ik¯ª smajr Lpkar ~heC| rafjk Aañ Eqa kTa k‟b ibcaireCa, esf bYiÝ¡skl

iJekaena bysr h‟b paer| rafj Aahk “üIk_it” egaqr eJaegid smajr kareN kam kra elaksklk üIk_it

(fyat nam p\kaS kir) id eteKtsklk Anup\aiNt kera| “üIk_it”r dµara üIk_it idya elaksklk „üIk_it‟ r

Palr pra p\SiÄ©pß idya h‟b| ipCt iktap Aakaer p \kaS krar pirkòna AaeC|

p\itÁQapk: bulijH buVaegah*af|

http://www.facebook.com/#%21/home.php?sk=group_182861751757591&ap=1

http://xobdo.net/

http://www.fass.infoedindia.com/

http://proyaash.blogspot.com/2008/04/executive-committee.html

http://proyaash.blogspot.com/2008/04/executive-committee.html

http://www.xomidhan.org/

http://www.enajori.com/

http://www.sakori.org/

http://goodnews.bihu.in/

http://importantnews.bihu.in/

http://dhemaji.bihu.in/

http://nishabagare.bihu.in/

http://assamnews.bihu.in/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/buljitburagohain/

http://websitebuljit.blogspot.com/


http://www.facebook.com/#%21/home.php?sk=group_182861751757591&ap=1


Engineering colleges in Assam and a brief story about Dhemaji Engineering College:

It is known to all that NE States of India has less number of Engineering Colleges compared to the other states of

India like Andhra Pradesh(527), Tamil Nadu (352), Uttar Pradesh (241), Maharashtra (239), Madhya Pradesh

(161), Karnataka(157), Haryana (116), Orissa (68), Gujarat (55) etc. [These data are as on 31/08/2008, now these

numbers are significantly increasing, http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2009/feb/r2009021602.doc].

Every year a lot of money goes outside the NE states in the name of Technical Education. Buljit is the person

who raised the topic of an Engineering College at Dhemaji, Assam which has brought up the discussion about

more engineering colleges in Assam. One can read the published news, articles, letters to the Editor etc.

regarding an Engineering College at Dhemaji and also about the Technical Education in Assam from this link:

http://buljit.bihu.in/ . Also please read the article "A Need for Expanding Engineering Education Facilities in

Assam for Economic Growth and Human Development" from this link:

http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-education-facilities-in-assam-for-

economic-growth-and-human-development/

The list of institutes of Assam which offer B.E./B.Tech courses are:

1. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati

2. National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar

3. Assam Engineering College, Guwahati

4. Jorhat Engineering College, Jorhat

5. Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur

6. Assam University, Silchar

7. Jorhat Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat

8. Bineswar Brahma Engineering College, Kokrajhar

9. Central Institute of Technology, Kokrajhar

10. Dibrugarh University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Dibrugarh

11. Institute of Science and Technology,Gauhati University, Guwahati

12. Girijananda Chowdhury Institute of Management and Technology, Guwahati

13. Don Bosco College of Engineering & Technology, Guwahati

14. NETES Institute of Technology & Science, Mirza, Kamrup

15. Royal College of Engineering & Technology, Guwahati

16. Scholar‟s Institute of Technology and Management, Guwahati

17. Assam Down Town University, Guwahati

After 3 years of constant effort the Honorable Chief Minister of Assam, Sri Tarun Gogoi has allocated Rs.4

crores for the preliminary works for setting up an Engineering College at Dhemaji from the Budget for the year

2010-2011 and has laid the foundation stone of the College on 20th February, 2011. Read this news and related

articles in the Basundhara (Sunday magazine, Dainik Janambhumi):

http://www.bihu.in/uploads/a/assamnews/1056.jpg; Buljithotor Xopun - Parthaprodip Bora (Amar Asom, Aug

25th

, 2010). http://amarasom.glpublications.in/Details.aspx?id=1818&boxid=105356281

There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2009/feb/r2009021602.doc

http://buljit.bihu.in/

http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-education-facilities-in-assam-for-economic-growth-and-human-development/

http://www.posoowa.org/2007/06/30/a-need-for-expanding-engineering-education-facilities-in-assam-for-economic-growth-and-human-development/

http://www.bihu.in/uploads/a/assamnews/1056.jpg

http://amarasom.glpublications.in/Details.aspx?id=1818&boxid=105356281


Indian Cancer Care Network –

‘Fighting Cancer, Caring Lives.’ Vavani Sarmah

News and Information Sarat Nath

About the authors: Vavani Sarmah, is the Founder

Secretary and CTO at Indian Cancer Care Network

(ICCN), Founder Principal Consultant & Chief

Executive Officer at Clearwin Technologies. He is

associated with FASS and with various cultural and

community work. He studied in Jorhat Engineering

College and University of Pennsylvania. This multi-

talented personality has produced an Assamese film

“Prem Joubonote”, and also became the first

Assamese person to officially adopt an animal when

he adopted “Pori”, a rhino in the Guwahati zoo in

2008. He lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife

Gitima Sarmah, daughter Niribili and son Zonak.

Sarat Nath is an IT professional who currently lives

in San Francisco bay area with his wife Nilanjona, daughters Kabita and Shruti. He pursued B Tech (Computer

Science) from North Eastern Hills University. He likes walking, cycling, gardening and to be informed of current

affairs.

Indian Cancer Care Network, (ICCN) (http://www.cancercare.net.in/ and ) is a non-profit initiative of

ClearWin Technologies USA; North East Clinical Excellence Foundation, Assam; Gauhati Medical College

Hospital and Friends of Assam and Seven Sisters. ICCN is a unique project and has evolved as the outcome of

research, commitment and efficient leadership of the ICCN and its partners and associates. ICCN operates at the

grass root level using latest and greatest tools and technologies for the prevention and detection of cancer among

vulnerable groups of society and creating awareness among masses.

Indian Cancer Care Network launched ICCN TV (www.iccn.tv/) as a destination to share cancer care information

and learn about cancer and it´s available treatment and related care. Using ICCN TV patients will able to get

relevant information 24x7 in multiple languages. Institutions and Cancer Care provider will be able to telecast

program/ educational videos for free.

1. Dedicated ICCN counselor and volunteers has provided consultation to over 700 plus Cancer patients in

2010 mostly from NER and Assam and providing 24x7 online supports using www.CancerCare.Net.in/

2. ICCN Network has over 70 doctors (Providers) from 10 different hospitals across country.

3. ICCN organized many awareness and detection camps in Assam and NER during 2010.

4. Launched its website www.CancerCare.Net.in in six different languages.

5. The ICCN.TV, provides approximately 10 hours of multi-language video contents and plan is to create

300 hours in next 2 years in Indian local languages.

6. ICCN a very long journey to go and wish all your support, help, suggestion and cooperation in each step

of this journey.

http://www.iccn.in/newsletter/newsletter_aug2010.php/

http://www.iccn.in/newsletter/newsletter_nov2010.php/

Sarat Nath Vavani Sarmah

http://www.cancercare.net.in/

http://www.iccn.tv/

http://www.cancercare.net.in/

http://iccn.tv/

http://www.iccn.in/newsletter/newsletter_aug2010.php/

http://www.iccn.in/newsletter/newsletter_nov2010.php/


Assam Online Book store Sarat Nath

Information Vavani Sarmah

Spring is here and so is our dear Rongali Bihu. Home away from home, for many people, especially for the people

residing outside Assam the nostalgia around Bihugeet, the sweetness of the cuckoo, the taste of teelpitha, and

the fragrance of Nahor, Togor and Kopou could make some of us just homesick. And many others like you and

me just miss our childhood or school days and wish if we could bring back some old days when our grandma used

to read stories for us. Or bring back those days when we went out to Panbazar Kitapghar to buy a book and read.

Or bring back those days when we heard a book fair is coming and instead of buying a book required for academic

course come back with a heavy handbag full of books purchased something of our own interest. Many of us have a

passion for reading Assamese or Assam related books, and it has been a dream that one day there would be an

online bookfair and we would be able to buy an Assamese book online just like I can buy something online from

Amazon.com.

The www.assambookstore.com is an online book store of Assamese books. It is also a dream come true idea and

the website empowered by Clearwin technologies where one can register and buy or sell books anytime! Ordering

is simple, the user may register for free while online and select books and add to the cart. Order is home delivered,

what else one can ask for! Searching for books is even simpler and user friendly, it displays the cover page image

of the book as it was printed and a checkbox with every book to select.

Moreover, Ecommerce is encouraging more people to buy books online. The amazing world of this online

bookstore is a welcoming change for bibliophiles with a wide range of books at just one place! Opting to shop at

an online bookstore in Assam is time-saving as well.

Whether it is Bihu or a birthday or no specific occasion, one could also get for self or gift a book to a friend or

relative. Someone said "poothir vidya thupai thuwa dhonor nichina". Books are one of the most precious things

that exist in the world and it is good to have a habit of that.

http://amazon.com/

http://www.assambookstore.com/


Learn Assamese online:

A unique initiative by the expatriates Ankur Bora

Information

About the author: Ankur Bora is the Vice-president of Friends of

Assam and Seven Sisters (FASS), the U.S.A. Chapter and General

Secretary of Assam Foundation of America (AFNA). He pursued

B.E. from Jorhat Engineering College and M.S. from University of

Texas and is currently enrolled in a PhD program. He is also the

chief editor of FASS‟ annual magazine “Friends”. He lives in

Dallas, Texas with his wife Anjana Bora and daughters Anvi and

Riddhi.

"Information and communication technologies can be especially

useful in promoting mother languages. We must harness the

power of progress to protect diverse visions of the world and to

promote all sources of knowledge and forms of expression. These

are the threads that weave the tapestry of humanity‟s story. "

Languages are the most powerful instruments

of preserving and developing our tangible and

intangible heritage. All moves to promote the

dissemination of mother tongues will serve not

only to encourage linguistic diversity and

multilingual education but also to develop

fuller awareness of linguistic and cultural

traditions throughout the world and to inspire

solidarity based on understanding, tolerance

and dialogue. XOBDO (www.xobdo.org ) is

an endeavour by a group of people in the

preservation of language. These individuals

reside in different countries, spreading across

several continents. They have overcome the barrier of separation with the aid of the Internet and the computer;

And because of their unyielding passion and love for their mother tongue, XOBDO has become an online treasure

house of the Assamese and other languages of North East India. Recently a few enthusiastic members of XOBDO

have started a unique experience for the children “Learn Assamese online.”

“We are almost ready to start the first "Learn Assamese" classes (specially for Assamese kids residing outside

Assam) of age group 6-10 years who can speak Assamese and can read/write basic English. The objective of the

course is to teach the pupils how to read/write basic Assamese. The tentative course duration is 15 weeks. Apart

from the class room classes to be started in Abu Dhabi, UAE from 1st week of December, you can register for

http://www.xobdo.org/


simultaneous distance learning by email correspondence. Parents from across the world are invited to avail this

opportunity. The announcement was made by Bikram M. Baruah, The first class of "Learn Assamese" of

XOBDO.ORG was organized at Abu Dhabi, UAE with seven children and their parents joining the class

Languages and cultures go hand and hand. They're intertwined, when you learn a language you understand the

culture; when you learn a culture you begin to understand the language. It's pretty amazing to watch people light

up when they see technology in their language, which in a lot of countries is not that accessible to folks. Then, it

becomes the very personal and intimate experience with technology that we are all used to.

The world is a mosaic of visions, expressed through language. We wish all the best to the members of XOBDO

and sincerely hope that this effort will be able to enrich our next generation about the language and culture of

Assam.

Read more about the first class of Assamese Learning at San Francisco Bay Area, in the following article!

ooo

“Do one thing at a time. To start with do little things at a time that makes you proud of yourself. You will have faith in your

capacity when you have a few achievements to your credit – however small and insignificant they might be” – Wahid Saleh


Assamese language class in San Francisco Bay Area Pallav Saikia

Information

About the author: Pallav Saikia is an IT professional and

pursued B. E. (Production Engineering) from Jadavpur

University and M. S. (Software Systems) from BITS. He is

associated with xobdo.org and many other organizations; and

actively working on promoting the Assamese language and

culture for a long time. His self designed website xophura.org

is growing tremendously with addition of more Assamese

reading materials and books. And this is just one of those few

dream-coming-true online repositories dedicated to Assamese

literature and books. Either home away from home or any

place having access to Internet one can enjoy reading in

Assamese in xophura.

Currently he lives in San Francisco bay area with his wife

Maitreyee Das and daughter Aalphul.

The San Francisco bay area community has started a course of teaching Assamese to their young kids. It had

been observed that the interested parents in the NRA community could introduce their children to conversational

Assamese, but was quite a challenge for them to teach the kids how to read or write in Assamese.

Nandana Hazarika & Maitreyee Das came forward with the idea of starting a class to bridge this gap and

introduce the kids to the written form the language. The Xobdo team, which had already established the widely

used online dictionary of the North Eastern Languages www.xobdo.org, had also prepared a course with such

requirement in mind. There was already a batch going on with this course in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Xobdo.org had

also enrolled few students across the globe to teach Assamese over email. So, the Bay area team leveraged the

course materials prepared by Xobdo and stared the weekly class. Catering to the needs of the tech savvy kids,

this team also prepared multiple visual aids, PPTs, and other materials available in the net and contributed to the

course material for Xodbo.

The course has now completed its 7th week covering almost half of the Assamese Alphabet. There are 9 students

attending this batch of age 5 years through 11years. There are already few more kids lined up waiting for the

next batch to begin. Primary aim of this course is to have the kids to learn the Assamese alphabets and attain

proficiency in reading basic Assamese texts (with no compound letters) by the end of this class. This course will

also make them familiar with the Assamese language, culture, phonetics and vocabulary.

Nandana and Maitreyee are teaching the kids and their husbands Ujjal & Pallav are providing logistical support

preparing the additional course materials. It's been a fantastic experience to see the kids already learning half of

the alphabets and forming basic sentences in Assamese. This is also becoming a nice meeting point for the

families to meet regularly and exchange ideas.

http://www.xobdo.org/

http://xobdo.org/


A few pictures from the classroom session. Photo by Pallav Saikia

For more detail on the course materials, one may visit learn.xobdo.net. Also, the kids are referring to reading

materials from xophura.org (http://www.xophura.net/static/kids_poem.htm) and Assamese story from Bookbox

(http://www.bookbox.com/index.php?pid=164).

If you want to conduct a similar course in your place and want to exchange ideas,

please feel free to reach out to [email protected]

http://learn.xobdo.net/

http://xophura.org/

http://www.xophura.net/static/kids_poem.htm

http://www.bookbox.com/index.php?pid=164



s¹padkIy (Editorial) April 15, 2011

br~diclar smUh pVU~w~l AsmIya nwbx^ Aañ bhag ibýr Olg Jaicela*| caO*et caO*et br~diclaf EbCrt

Bir idel Ef s#KYaiq p\kaS epawar leg legf| Aamar ibS³as eJawabCrr der rafej EfbCera AaelacnI Kin

sadrer g\hN kirb| eJawa bCrr tulnat EfbCr AaelacnIKinr kelwr Aagt~k b_iá epawa~l caf AaSa

kireCa br~diclaf p_iTwIr cuek ekaeN Eeka Eekaqa bYÄ© jIwn inb^ah kirTkajneka ibýr Olg jnab~g

pairb| tdupir Efs#KYat Aaim ekfjnman AitiT elKk-eliKkar ikCu AmUlY Awdan eJag idb~l paf Ait

suKI ~heCa| Aañ iQk eJawabarr derf Efbaera kn kn mfnah*tr sheJag sca*~key Ait p\S#snIy| fyar

jiryet s¹padnakXr pra skela~l DnYbad Ôapn kireCa| AaSakera br~diclaf Aamar iSö elKk-eliKka

Aañ icßkr sklk Anuep\rNa eJagab~l sXm h‟b| pVu~w smaej iJekaena elKar ibxey mtamt Taikel tlr

f-emfl iQknar jiryet eJagaeJag kirb pairb|

dUB^agYbSt& AsmIya ibBagt A#Sg\hNkarIr s#KYa Efbaera etenf takr| Eenkuwa inÀcy nhy eJ ebiCBag

p\basI AsmIya manueh AsmIyat iliKb enjaen| býeta elaek hyeta Aenkidn AsmIya inilKar Plür›ep Aañ

p\bast Taik Taik f#rajIt Babp\kaS kirb~leh ebiC suibDajnk AnuBw ker| Aañ hyeta ekaenabaf f¤Ca

TaikelO felkq\ink maDYmt ilKar suclta iKin ibcair epawa naf ba ibcraf naf| taek Anuman kir Ef

s#KYat p\bast TaikO AsmIya eken~k inej iSikb pair ba l‟ra-eCawalIeka iSkab pair, eken~k AsmIya

iktap fnqaen^qr eJaegid ikinb pair taer Alp tTY idyar J¨° kra ~heC| AaSakera Aamar ntun p\j¯»f

“mf AsmIya jaena” buil Aa¨»ibS³aeser AsmIyat k‟b pairb~g|

Bihu Greetings to all the readers of BORDOICHILA! Bordoichila is your magazine, which is now being

published bilingual every year during Rongali Bihu. On behalf of the editorial board I would like to

take this opportunity to thank all the contributors, especially children artists and writers and our guest

authors; all the readers for your continuous support. We look forward to have our next issues even

more informative, creative, educative for children and everyone and even more fun-filled at the same

time with your valuable inputs.

Sincerely,

Nilanjona Mahanta

Sarat Nath

Editors: Nilanjona Mahanta, Sarat Nath Cover design (front and back), page layout etc: Nilanjona Illustrations: Kabita Nath [dhol-pepa-japi using Paint brush in starting page of guest author contribution section) with some guidance from her mom]. If you wish to receive an e-copy of this magazine or have any question or comment, please send an email to [email protected] or [email protected] ©Assam_MN Visit Bordoichila at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bordoichila/154998641196946



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