Kojain Sammelan – a wonderful convention

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Its been one month since the Kojain Sammelan got over in Detroit. But it was only now that I managed to upload photos. Hence the delay in writing this article.

I went with my Dad to this Sammelan since he wanted to meet his friends and plenty of other East Coast Kutchis. The Sammelan was in Holiday Inn.

It started off on Friday with an entrepreneur workshop in which various kutchi entrepreneurs who have their own businesses spoke. I missed this unfortunately since I had gone to the Ford Factory Tour with a busload of other kutchis.
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Our own Nimit Maru also spoke here. I heard this workshop turned out quite good. Everyone in the Sammelan was given a registration package which included a nice book on the convention, a handbag, a CD of Kutchi Songs, A name tag which people wore and it helped people introduce to one another, etc.

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Once this got over, then in the evening there was a songs program by Vatsala patil and Group. Though she is Maharashtrian she knows Gujarati very well (married to one as well) and has stayed in Baroda for quite some time. These songs were Hindi songs and it was very entertaining. Folks got up from their seats and started dancing in front of the stage. (I will post a video too).

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The Sammelan food was good with lot of variety. They managed to cover most of the Kutchi food in one session or the other including (bajra rotla, khakra, oondhyo, kheechi, buttermilk, etc).

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Next Day (Saturday) was the main Sammelan Day. They started off with a Samaiyyo style welcoming of people by the Detroit Local Kutchis. Next came the inaguration speech, report on Kutch, etc.

There were a few sessions and talks in the afternoon. The evening started off with entertainment programs from Kutchi groups around USA. Washington DC group presented a dance on Kutchi Song by the adults. The Detroit Local group did a small drama on Kutch. This drama is already posted online.
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After the entertainment programs it was Vatsala Patil again but this time for Dandia and Garba. Her group played good music and folks were dancing till almost 1 am.

On Sunday, it was time to say good bye. There were some new friendships created and plenty of old ones which were refreshed. Folks gave closing speeches and thanked the 17 families of Detroit who had managed to pull off a great sammelan.

From the Bay Area, we had myself, my dad, Nimit, Navin Dedhia, Sarla Kansara, Rasik Kansara, Vijay Chheda, Sonia and Pallavi, Mayur Kenia, Sachin Chheda’s father and mother (hope did not forget anyone).

There was some talk about having the next sammelan on a cruise. In the end I was glad I accompanied my Dad to the Sammelan. It was a good experience.

Full Photo Album is here