Dear Friends
UAAUK is organizing a half-day conference on economic development of Assam. It is open for all, and hence we call it Assam Forum. This will take place on 19th February 2012 (2.30-5.30 PM) at the Mahatma Gandhi Hall, YMCA Indian Student Hostel, Fitzroy Square, London WC1T 6AQ. We cordially invite you to grace the occasion and participate in the stimulating discussions. There will be tea and snacks between 2.30pm and 3.00pm, and the meeting will start at 3.00pm.
I am pleased to inform you of the results from the General Election of the United Assam Association of the UK (UAAUK) 2011. The new office bearers will be:
President: Dr Jitendralal Borkakati
Vice-President: Dr Shyam Saikia
General Secretary: Dr Nripen Barkataki
Assistant General Secretary: Mr Rishi Kakoti
Treasurer: Mrs Julie Bora
Cultural Secretary: Mrs Chinu Kishore
Apart from the post of Vice-President, no other position was contested. In the case of the Vice-President, a vote took place to choose between two candidates: Dr Shyam Saikia and Mrs Rini Kakati. Dr Saikia received 50 votes, while Mrs Kakati received 14. Therefore, Dr Shyam Saikia will be taking up the post of Vice-President. The results of the election has been independently checked and verified by Dr Chadma Deka. The out-going office bearers will continue in their posts until the next Annual General Meeting of the UAAUK. At the AGM, they will hand over to the newly elected officers. Thanks to all members who voted in this year’s election and, also, I would like to wish the new UAAUK officials well for their term in office.
Yours sincerely,
Jan Goswami
Election Officer, United Assam Association of the UK
This video was taken on 20th November during the immersion of ashes of Bhupen Hazarika to river Tyne in the north east of England by a small community of Assamese people. The background music was composed and sung by Bhupen Hazarika during his visit to the region in 1999 in admiration of river Tyne which he found flowing in harmony with 'Luit'. The full text of the song that he composed while he was in Newcastle-upon-Tyne expressing feelings about the Tyne River, comparing it with the mighty Brahmaputra, in his own handwrting can be downloaded here.
By Vikram Das
If you were to come to Assam, you will find her crestfallen. Silent with mother’s grief, lost in her own blue hills, knees folded demurely and face turned aside to hide her final loss. Something tells her he will not return to her. 
Her beautiful hair in evening’s western glow hides her tears as she tries to think of all he has said about her. To her own people and outsiders alike. About her hundred battles with strangers and invaders, about her other warrior sons, about the ageless game of seduction she has played with unending fishermen and their wooden boats, about her fits of rage and destruction. About her scarred, timeless and sometimes irresponsible beauty. Her averted eyes would tell you she wants him alone with her for a convincing farewell. Singing and talking to her for her one last time, for no one could really understand her the way he did. For no one loved her and her people that way. Or sang to her with that deep resonance of ripe bamboo. She winces jealously when other lands call him their half son, suspicious he has let out the very Assamese essence of simplicity, inclusiveness and humanism borne out of shedding away caste and religion. All she had taught him. For she was his mother, lover and muse all together.
Losing someone who is very famous, well known and you love, can feel overwhelmingly and extremely painful. It is a well known fact that everyone copes with grief differently and I am completely at a loss to express myself the way I feel. We the Assamese people as well as the whole nation have lost a great legend, maestro and highly talented person - Bhupen Da. Julie and I had the privilege of meeting Bhupen Da on few occasions. Our first encounter was in 1999, when he came to UK to entertain the Assamese Community during our Medical Colleges reunion. He was deeply in love with and had great respect towards our mighty Brahmaputra River and had written and sang quite a few beautiful songs. But it was quite astonishing that he also composed a song for us while he was in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, expressing similar feelings about the Tyne River, comparing it with the mighty Brahmaputra. He was a remarkable person with all his charms, sense of humour and intellect. He always tried to spread Assamese culture to the rest of the world through his music. Bhupen Da was not only highly talented musician; he was an actor, singer, politician, journalist, lyricist and film maker. He is no longer with us but his music will remain in the hearts and minds of millions of us for years to come May his soul rest in peace.
Dr. Ashraf Bora, Whitburn, Tyne & Wear
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