April 28 - Sandip Ray, Youth Programs & Bhoomi

The Countdown continues with less than 10 weeks to go. In this episode, filmmaker Sandip Ray provides a brief synopsis of the Satyajit Ray event that will take place as part of NABC film session with Ray exhibits and short films. Youth program co-chairs Sasha and Mayukh detail the exciting events that they are putting together to make it a conference within the conference. Preparations are in full swing for their celebration of Bengali culture through the opera style Balmiki Pratibha - entirely put together by the second generation. Popular Bangla Band Bhoomi share their excitement of performing in Toronto. Surojit - lead member of Bhoomi updates us about their preparation and takes us back to their early days. Registrants voice their comments about NABC to round up this episode.

April 14 - Poila Boisakh Episode

The Countdown for Toronto begins today with this special Poila Boisakh episode. On behalf of the organizers, Chairpersons Jaidev Sarkar and Bejoy Das extend you a warm welcome and seek your support. The stars are with you from today itself - listen to Poila Boisakh gretings from Aparna Sen, Subhamita, Mir, Kumar Shanu and Indrani Sen. Every episode will feature an interview and this episode's guest is Indrani Sen. In the next episode we get to talk to Bangla band Bhoomi. Listen to this series of podcasts, participate and win exciting gifts like last year. Wish you a very happy Bengali New Year!

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Banga Sammelan 2008 - Kick-off Meeting

Toronto sets the ball rolling...

The soccer-crazy Bengalis appropriately call it the kick-off meeting - the formal launch of the preparation for next year’s North American Bengali Conference - although the behind-the-scenes activities start much earlier. Maintaining the tradition, NABC2008 hosts PBCA organized a kick-off meet on August 25, 2007 at the Tagore Center in Toronto. The team presented their plans for next year’s extravaganza and if past is any indication of the future, we are in for a royal treat next year at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. After all, Toronto can draw from the experience of hosting twice this event. As the guests from US and India committed in their short speeches, it is a huge collaborative effort - one where the final celebration for the organizers has to wait till the curtains drop on July 6.

We were there to capture highlights of the occasion. Enjoy the video. Keep checking back as we take you through to July 4.

For online registration and event details visit NABC2008 website.

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