Sad but true

Last Sunday (July 6) we got back from the Assam Convention held at Atlanta, GA during July 4 weekend. Meeting old friends and chatting in Assamese were delightful for a change. While many in this land of immigrants take pride in their roots while becoming a part of the new world by making this land even more beautiful with rainbow color, many in the old native land are abandoning their language, culture, and tradition. It is an irony that while the artists from the community here performed “Thiya Naam”, sang Bishnu Rabha’s song, presented a “Satriya Dance” during the Assam Convention, the guest artist from Assam had nothing Assamese; only a “Bollywood” theme. It is truly sad. While many natives complain about the influence of globalization, illegal immigration from neighboring Bangladesh, and native economy being controlled by others, they are becoming clueless about Assamese history, culture and language. Like parrots they imitate “Bollywood” music, brag about not being fluent in Assamese or not being able to read or write their mother tongue. One should not blame others when they are their worst enemies. They celebrate “Bohagi Bidaya” for a month with mostly “Bollywood” tunes. I wonder if they are ashamed of their own culture and heritage. If so, then they deserve the fate befalling them.