The Vancouver-based society offered copies of NEST, a magazine devoted to the Eight Sister States, to B.C.’s Premier and the provincial NDP president as a gesture of respect and cultural pride.
SURREY, B.C., Oct. 21: Saptarang Cultural Society presented British Columbia Premier David Eby with a traditional Assamese gamusa and a copy of NEST: North East Stories & Treasures, Canada’s first magazine dedicated to the Northeast India region as a whole, during a meeting in Surrey.
BC NDP President Aman Singh, who was also present, received his own copy of the magazine and a gamusa.
NEST is a print and digital magazine celebrating the Eight Sister States of Northeast India. Its debut issue carries the tagline “Eight Threads, One Home.” It features stories on the region’s heritage, handlooms, music, dance, cuisine, and landmarks. It also includes voices from the Northeast Indian diaspora in Canada.
“The gamusa is a traditional gift we present to dignitaries as a mark of respect,” said Indrajit Guha, President of Saptarang. “With the NEST magazine, we also wanted to introduce the Northeast to everyone, including dignitaries, so they understand the part of India and its culture that we are trying to promote on a global stage.”
BC NDP President Aman Singh said he would like to connect with Saptarang to better understand the work it is doing.
The presentation follows a milestone year for Saptarang. On May 30, the society organized Canada’s first pan-Northeast India Cultural Festival, bringing all eight sister states together under one banner. Saptarang also recently held its first pan-Northeast Durga Puja festival from October 16 to 18, where NEST was released as part of the celebration. The organization is now looking forward to celebrating its first pan-Northeast Christmas in December.
Readers can download a copy of NEST from the Saptarang website at www.saptarang.ca.
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