প্রিয় সুধীগণ

Hosting at Dr. Raj Pandey Hindu Center by Bichitra on 18-Nov-2018, Sunday, from 11:30 am onwards

Dated: November 13, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
Bichitra would be hosting lunch on 18-Nov-2018 at Dr. Raj Pandey Hindu Center. All members are invited for prayer followed by lunch on Sunday.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Save the Date - Bijoya Sommeloni on 27-Oct-2018, Saturday

Dated: October 22, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
Shubho Bijoya to all of you !!! Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Pujo this year!!!
We are excited to announce that our Bijoya Sommeloni gathering will be held on Oct 27, 2018 - Saturday, at Sterling Mennonite Fellowship Church, 1008 Dakota St, from 5 pm onwards. We have lined-up an entertaining and fun-loving evening with cultural activities, stage-play and our usual Bangali Adda (socializing with fellow members). We want to take this opportunity to stress the importance of timing this year, as we are time-bound to vacate the venue by 10 pm. We sincerely request all members to be present no later than 5:15 pm on the event day to enjoy the complete event.

PS: If you haven't got a chance to renew your membership for the current year, you can renew it during this event. We usually refresh our membership list at the end of the year and want to ensure you do not miss out on any of the exciting community activities lined up starting new year.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Lakshmi Pujo 2018

Dated: November 13, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
Bichitra will be celebrating Lakshmi Pujo on Thursday, Oct 25th (কোজাগরী লক্ষ্মী পূজা: ৭-কার্তিক ১৪২৫) at Dr. Raj Pandey Hindu Center from 7:00 pm onwards. We request our members to attend the event.

PS: If you haven't got a chance to renew your membership for the current year, you can renew it during this event. We usually refresh our membership list at the end of the year and want to ensure you do not miss out on any of the exciting community activities lined up starting new year.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Durga Pujo 2018 Invitation and Updates

Dated: September 18, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
Hope the sudden swings in temperature and the changing color of our neighborhoods remind us of something very imminent! Yes indeed - the biggest Bengali celebration - DURGA PUJO 2018 is knocking at our doors!!!
We are excited to announce that Bichitra will be organizing Durga Pujo this year from Oct 15 to Oct 19, aligning the schedule with the traditional Sanskrit Almanac (Panjika). Team Bichitra extends a warm invitation to all our members, family and friends to grace this occasion and be an inseparable part of this celebration.

As informed earlier, Ms. Sumita Biswas is the Pujo Chairperson for 2018. The Executive Committee thanks her for accepting the role and would like to take this opportunity to update you on the following Pujo Activities:

1. Formal Invitation: Please consider this email as the formal invitation for the Pujo. The soft copy of the invitation card is attached with this email. We will also start sending printed copies of the invitation card at your respective postal addresses shortly. Hence it is imperative that you let us know if there has been a change in address in the recent past. Please refer to the Member Directory from last year's Agomoni and advise us of any address changes at the earliest. If you do not receive the printed invitation cards by Oct 12, please let us know. We would like to call out and thank our youth member - Austin Roy Chowdhury, for designing the card.

2. Pujo Magazine "Agomoni": We have closed accepting any further articles for publication this year. We thank everyone - members and sponsors - for submitting materials for publication on time. Back-end processing work is nearing completion and we expect printed copies to be ready for distribution on the evening of Sashthi. We would like to call out and thank our youth member - Prothoma Bhatta, for designing the front and back cover pages of our magazine.

3. Pujo Bhog: Bhog to Maa Durga will be offered both in the morning and evening on Saptami (Oct 16 - Tuesday), Ashtami (Oct 17 - Wednesday) and Nabami (Oct 18 - Thursday). Volunteers interested to offer Pujo Bhog may please contact Pujo Chairperson Ms. Sumita Biswas with preferred dates and other details.

4. Pujo Hosting: Volunteer members of Bichitra have traditionally hosted lunch and dinner during the Pujo days. We request members interested to host lunch/dinner to reach out to the Pujo Chairperson and/or the President to confirm your date. We currently have the following slots available for hosting:

  a.   Sashthi Dinner - Oct 15, Monday
  b.   Saptami Lunch - Oct 16, Tuesday
  c.   Dashami Lunch - Oct 19, Friday

5. Cultural Events: With Pujo being on weekdays this year, we still have kept Cultural programs, but at a smaller scale. Please reach out to our Cultural Secretary Mr. Surya Banik (and Ms. Arpita Majumdar if you are interested to perform in the cultural events. The planned cultural line-up is as follows:
  a.   Saptami Evening - Oct 16, Tuesday - Cultural program ONLY for kids
  b.   Ashtami Evening - Oct 17, Wednesday - Chandipath - this has been a long-standing Bichitra tradition
  c.   Nabami Evening - Oct 18, Thursday - Cultural program by adult/senior members

6. Bijoya Sommeloni: Bijoya Sommeloni will be held on Oct 27th, Saturday at the Sterling Mennonite Fellowship Church on 1080 Dakota St. Stay tuned for more updates on this.

7. Suggested Donation and Membership Fees: Last but not the least, as we are all aware, even with maintaining the minimum standards - a significant expense incurs in organizing our Pujo. We have been able to keep the spirit of celebration up and running every year only because of generous donations from members, sponsors and well-wishers like you! Team Bichitra cordially thanks every one of you for your support.

Suggested Donation - Like the previous years, a minimum suggested donation of $150 is requested per family, excluding any additional guest(s), if possible. The amount goes towards overall Pujo expenses including food sponsored by Bichitra. Members hosting lunch/dinner and our sponsors are exempt from this.

Membership Fees - We sincerely request to pay your membership fees, if due, before/during the Pujo to assist us in keeping the organization running. We know many of our dedicated members have relocated outside Winnipeg, but still consider Winnipeg and Bichitra an inseparable part of their soul. May we kindly request if you could also pay the membership dues, the gesture and spirit will be highly appreciated by the Bichitra community. For members who are unable to attend this year's Durga Pujo, we have the option to remit the membership fees and/or Pujo donation by sending cheque or by e-transfer. Please reach out to our Treasurer - Ms. Suchita Ghosh or any of the Executive Committee members for further details.

Contact Details for Point of Contacts for various events are as follow:
  a.   Ms. Sumita Biswas - 204-257-7952 / mitashib@gmail.com
  b.   Mr. Surjya Banik - 204-963-7042
  c.   Ms. Suchita Ghosh - suchita.ghosh@gmail.com
  d.   Ms. Arpita Majumdar - 204-294-6700 / arpita_97@hotmail.com

That's all for now! Wishing you Happy Pujo in advance, and keep following our Facebook page for more exciting updates!!

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Call for youth participants (female) for Bijoya Sommeloni Dance performance (27-Oct-2018)

Dated: September 3, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
Bichitra is planning to host a dance performance involving the youth community (all female starcast) during Bijoya Sommeloni program on 27-Oct-2018. Details are as follows:

Event: Dance Program on 27-Oct (Bijoya Sommeloni)
Who can participate: Young female participants 6 yrs and above
Rehearsal Venue: 2 Brookstone Pl. (Prachi & Asit's Residence)
Rehearsal Time: Every Thursday starting next week (13-Sep-2018). Drop off kids at 7 pm and pick-up at 9 pm.

Contact Person: Ms. Prachi Dey (204-770-1269)

We would like to thank the Dey family for graciously volunteering to lead this initiative and organize the rehearsals at their residence.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Rehearsal for Chandipath on Ashtami - 17-Oct-2018

Dated: August 31, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
As we are all aware, Bichitra has traditionally organized and chanted Chandipath on the auspicious day of Maha Ashtami for several years. This year, Maha Ashtami falls on 17-Oct-2018, Wednesday.
Interested volunteers willing to participate in Chandipath may please reach out to Mrs. Krishna Bal (Krishna Mashi) at 204-222-3993 at the earliest. Please note that a venue has already been booked for rehearsals.
Your cooperation is very much appreciated.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Call for Chairperson & Co-Chair for Durga Puja 2018

Dated: August 27, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
We are pleased to announce that Ms. Sumita Biswas has gracefully accepted the role of Durga Puja Chairperson for 2018. We thank her for her leadership and willingness to come forward, and assist us in the biggest Bengali celebration of the year. Let's all support her as a team and provide all assistance needed to celebrate this joyous festival.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Call for volunteers for Bangla Natok (stage drama) for Bijoya Sommeloni on 27-Oct-2018

Dated: August 20, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
Bichitra is planning to host a drama (Bangla Natok) during our Bijoya Sommeloni event on 27th October, 2018 (Saturday). We are looking for interested volunteers with a passion for acting as defined characters in the drama.
We need 5 male and 3 female characters (1 lead & 2 supporting female roles). Interested members may please respond to this email or reach out to Pijush/Arpita/Arindam at the earliest. We need confirmation from volunteers no later than 24th August, 2018 (Friday).

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Folklorama 2018 - Call for Volunteers

Dated: July 23, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
We are excited to announce that Bichitra would participate in this year's Folklorama, and would set up a stall to showcase Bengali culture and values in the Indian Pavilion. The venue is RBC Convention Centre - South Building, 3rd Floor | 375 York Ave.
Bichitra is in need for volunteers to assist in setting up and managing our stall. We want to ensure that we have a kaleidoscopic and stunning display of our stall depicting the Bengali culture. We would need 2 volunteers / day as per the timings mentioned below to manage the stall. Both the volunteers would be provided with meal (dinner) tickets. In addition, we would need volunteers to setup the stall on 12-Aug-2018, Saturday, at 10 in the morning.

Date	Day	Time
12-Aug-2018	Saturday	5pm to 9:45pm
13-Aug-2018	Sunday	6pm to 9:45pm
14-Aug-2018	Monday	6pm to 9:45pm
15-Aug-2018	Tuesday	6pm to 9:45pm
16-Aug-2018	Wednesday	6pm to 9:45pm
17-Aug-2018	Thursday	6pm to 9:45pm
18-Aug-2018	Friday	5pm to 9:45pm

We will also need some arts/crafts/decoration that represent Bengali culture. If you want to showcase any of these, there cannot be a better opportunity. Bichitra takes ownership to return the items after the event closure on 18-Aug-2018.
Please let us know / respond to this email if you are interested in representing Bengali culture in the world's largest and longest running multicultural event. Please note that the pavilion organizers have reiterated multiple times to strictly adhere to the timelines as mentioned above. It would be appreciated if we can enter the pavilion 15 mins before the stated timings.

Any questions, please feel free to reach out to any member in the current Executive Committee.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Call for Chairperson & Co-Chair for Durga Puja <2018>

Dated: July 19, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
The countdown has begun! It is 87 days more at the time of scribing this email, when we celebrate the biggest religious festival for all Bengalis - the DURGA PUJA !!
Like previous years, Bichitra is calling for volunteer(s) for the position of Chairperson and Co-Chair for Durga Puja 2018. We would like to request our members (except the current Executive Committee members) to send us their willingness / expression of interest for these prestigious volunteer positions.
Please contact us at manitobabichitra@gmail.com no later than August 17, 2018 if you are interested in accepting any of the above positions. The Executive Committee would provide all necessary support to make this event successful.

We appreciate your response and interest for these positions in advance.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Folklorama 2018

Dated: Jun 24, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
We are delighted to share with you that we were contacted by Folklorama management to participate in this years India Pavillion which will held in RBC Convention Centre from August 12th-18th! This is an honour for us to be able to showcase our Bengali cultural heritage to such a diverse audience. Bichitra will be participating in India Pavillion with a group dance performance which will be professionally choreographed.
We cordially invite the interested members to contact our vice-president Mrs. Karabi Roy Chowdhury (Rimi) either by email: karabi28@yahoo.ca or cell: 204-232-1703.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Rabindra Nazrul Jayanti

Dated: April 27, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
On May 20th, 2018, the Bichitra Bengali Association of Manitoba is coming together to commemorate the birth anniversaries of two of Bengal's most beloved and celebrated literary masterminds: Shri Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The details of the event are as follows:

1. Date and time: May 20th, 2018 (Sunday) at 6:15 pm.
2. Venue: Sterling Mennonite Fellowship. 1008 Dakota St., Winnipeg, MB
3. Program schedule: Members are requested to arrive at 6:15 pm and make yourselves comfortable as we intend to start our cultural program at sharp 6:30 pm. Snacks and a light dinner will be provided.
   We would like to maintain the schedule as strictly as possible due to the regulations of the venue.
   Please note that we've arranged to have the cultural program in the main floor hall & the food downstairs. The facility has a strict policy of no food/drink in main hall.
4. Membership renewal: Poila Boishakh was our yearly membership renewal date. Any member who couldn't come or were unable to pay then, are requested to renew their membership on the day of Rabindra Nazrul Jayanti.

Annual Membership fee:
Family: $40
Single/Student: $20
Members can pay by cash or cheque or by debit/credit card (with an additional surcharge of $1 for card only).
We hope you can all join us to honor and celebrate the humanism and artistry of Shri Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.

If there is any question or concern regarding this event, please don't hesitate to contact any of our executive committee members.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra

Important message regarding Poila Boisakh

Dated: April 3, 2018

Dear Bichitra members,
We hope that you've received the evite we sent a couple of days ago regarding Poila Boisakh.
We would love for all of you to join the celebration of our Bengali new year! Please pass on this invitation to all Bengali family/friends that may have inadvertently been missed in our evite.
Please not the following:

1. Date, time & venue: April 14th, 2018 (Saturday) at 6:30 pm. Sterling Mennonite Fellowship. 1008 Dakota St., Winnipeg, MB
2. Program schedule: Appetizers to be served from 6:30-7:00 pm. We intend to start our cultural program at 7:00 pm with a target to wrap up by 9:00-9:30 followed by dinner. Please help us by coming on time so that we can finish up the program on time. Please note that we've arranged to have the cultural program in the main floor hall & the food in downstairs. Members are requested to keep in mind to eat/drink in the kitchen area only and not to bring any food items in the main hall. The facility has a strict policy of no food/drink in main hall as that's dedicated for prayer!
3. Suggested dress: IN the spirit of the Bengali new year celebration, we suggest red/white (or any color as per individual choice) sharee for our female members and Punjabi/Kurta for our male members. Kindly note that this is not a mandatory dress code; members are welcome to dress whatever way they feel comfortable.
4. Membership renewal: As you know, our membership is traditionally due by Poila Boisakh. Please renew your membership (family: $40, single/student: $20) on the day of Poila Boisakh. Members can pay by cash or cheque or by debit/credit card (with an additional surcharge of $1 for card only).
5. Cultural program: Any member wishing to perform/participate in the cultural program please contact our Cultural secretary Surjya Banik (Cell: 204-963-7042, email: surjya_banik@hotmail.com) or Arpita Majumdar (Cell: 204-294-6700, email: arpita_97@hotmail.com) *Arpita is just assisting Surja da in coordinating this event*

If there is any question or concern regarding this event, please don't hesitate to contact any of our executive committee members. Hope to see you at the event.

Thanks
The Executive Committee of Bichitra