New Delhi dated 22nd May 2022 :- Today Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma , Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam invited President & General Secretary of Assam Association Delhi to Assam House for a meeting to discuss various issues related to AAD & other relevant issues .
The meeting started as per scheduled 4:30 PM at the office Chamber of Assam House. At the outset, Smti Anjali Barooah, President honoured CM with a fulam gamosa and congratulated him for becoming CM and for bringing prosperity to the State. Then President submitted one Memorandum with two key points viz. request for sanctioning a project viz. “*Upgradation of the Auditorium Hall of Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan, New Delhi” * into a ‘State of the Art’ modern Auditorium and b. Involving Assamese Association Delhi in various Governments, Public- Private Activities related to Assam in Delhi NCR Region. Then CM enquired detailed about Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan i.e. available resources, facilities, land parcel areas, past & present activities etc which were conveyed. He was particularly interested to know about the present area of land parcel of AAD and any possibility to expand this area where necessary details as per knowledge was conveyed. Then it was conveyed to him that AAD was really surprised to receive the sanction letter of the project viz. “Infrastructure Development of Srimanta Sankardeva Bhawan of Delhi” from his Govt immediately after his charge assumption as CM of Assam. Though it took few more days to receive the fund due to Corona pandemic and requirement of large paper works for society like AAD to open new Bank Account in Delhi. But after receiving the first installment, there was no looking back, works were accelerated and now the amount of the first installment of Rs 30 Lakh is nearing complete out of total sanctioned amount Rs 50L. The UC and Inspection Report have already been submitted to DC Office, Kamrup Metro and waiting for the Second Installment.
Then, it was further informed that in the previous project viz. “Infrastructure Development of Srimanta Sankardeva Bhawan, New Delhi”, the provision to upgrade Auditorium Hall of SSB was not included, instead revamping of the buildings, living rooms, bathroom etc were included considering urgency due to wear & tear. Then it was conveyed the basement of the building is presently on leased agreement rent to one Private agency used for a training institute during Covid pandemic as it was felt necessary to raise fund at that time to maintain the building as the revenue was dried up at that time whereas the running cost was mounted up around Rs 1 Lakh per month. Honble CM enquired about the rent agreement and how long it was expected to continue . In response , it was told that it is under 11 months leased agreement, but extended and expected to be continued for 3 years. Listening the various activities taken up in the Auditorium , basement, outside open stage amphitheater, hon’ble CM expressed his desire to support for the up gradation of the Auditorium and suggested to submit a project proposal viz. “Up-gradation of State-of the Art Modern Auditorium at Srimanta Sankradeva Bhawan, New Delhi ” immediately to him.

Then President , AAD requested hon’ble Chief Minister to become a Life Member of the AAD. She cited existence of several precedence where prominent persons to associate with the Organization including Prime Minister of India, Chief Minister of Assam , Central Ministers etc and a few amongst them became life members and took responsibility as President of AAD. She also informed that previously only one form needed to be filled for a family but as now as the activities of the Association has increased with multiple sister organizations where spouse may like to join and associate herself , so it is advisable to apply separately for spouse and other interested person. Accordingly a few ( 5 Nos) forms were handed over to CM with a request to fill and submit at an early date.

Then the availability of Jogajog, the monthly newsletter of Assam Association Delhi was communicated and the copy of July 2021 was handed over where one news on hon’ble CH was published. It was informed how Jogajog performed the critical requirement of uniting Assamese community in old days in absence of Internet, social networking, email, etc. As there Is still emotional bonding by many Assamese families with Jogajog, so they would wait patiently for the monthly copy. Initially it was dispatched to members by post but now it has been issued through email, whatsapp etc. A maillist with 4500 + users has been created for the same purposes .

Then one copy of the Directory of Assam Association Delhi was presented to CM. Looking through it , he enquired about the total strength of the members and Life members. it was conveyed that till now there are 836 Nos of Life members and around 3000 families are connected to the association directly or indirectly. President Madam told that recently It was assessed unofficially and expected to be around 30,000 Nos of people linked with the Association through their family linkage. Then it was further told about availability of the online version of Directory with search engine facility which is unique to AAD as no other organization has probably buildup their directory database so intensively. Since it was yet to be launched officially , so it enquired if this can be launched by him in near future . In response , Hon’ble CM told that he would be visiting Delhi again shortly with more staying days and then he would discuss it further.
Finally it was told that recently Assamese communities has started to expand their activities in various fields beyond their traditional domain. Recently in the field of Sports, the Assamese Premier League Cricket tournament has been launched where 4 ( four) Nos Cricket teams from Faridabad, NOIDA, Gurugram and Delhi have been playing and the purpose of the event is to unite the youths of the region under a single umbrella. These matches are played in large cricket ground under flood lights in glittering way. Hon’ble CM enquired about the presence of audience in these match where it was told as these matches are played at Night, so friends and family members are accompanying and join as audience. Then the other activity viz. constitution of Assam science society Delhi chapter was informed. Though there are no shortage of skillsets of Assamese people in Delhi in individual level, but collective demonstration was limited before and these are recent phenomenon. But in order to project Assamese as one of the leading communities of India in Delhi NCR, supports from State Government is highly required for which hon’ble CM assured full corporation.