Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, leading the state in paying tribute to Bhupen Hazarika on his 8th death anniversary, said people must realise the true essence of the legendary bard’s songs so that the state’s true potential could be harnessed to propel it on the path of rapid development.
Calling on the youth of the state to work for preserving the unity of Assamese society, Sonowal said, “If we have to take forward Assam in the 21st century and build a society based on moral values, then we must follow the ideals of Hazarika. It was his dream to build a greater Assamese society based on humanity, brotherhood and peace. He considered the whole world his home. Empathy for fellow human beings was his strongest quality and we all must imbibe those humanistic values.”
“Hazarika’s songs such as We are in the Same Boat Brother and Jilikabo Luitore Paar carried deep meanings of life and were not just mere words. Transcending the boundaries of country and region, Hazarika was able to establish Assamese identity on the global cultural map and introduced the world to the land’s music and culture,” he said.
Tributes to the Bharat Ratna recipient were paid across the state. The day witnessed events like lighting of diyas by organisations and individuals and competitions based on his songs by different academic institutions.
Here in Guwahati, Sonowal, accompanied by cultural affairs minister Naba Doley paid tribute to the singer at a programme organised by the state cultural affairs department in Samadhi Kshetra at Jalukbari.
All Assam Students’ Union members paid tribute to Hazarika across the state. In Guwahati, they paid tribute near his statue at Dighalipukhuri and at the Samadhi Kshetra in the presence of its leaders like chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjya, Dipanka Kumar Nath and Lurinjyoti Gogoi. Later in the evening, AASU members lit 10,000 diyas on the bank of Dighalipukhuri along with college and school students.
Bhattacharjya said, “Everybody has a responsibility in carrying forward Hazarika’s legacy. His life and works should be included in school and college curricula. It is important to have studies and research on his creations and philosophy. We appeal to the government to ensure preservation of Hazarika’s creations and naming the Guwahati railway station after him.”
Jatiya Divas Udjapan Mancha, a citizens’ organisation of Kumarpara Panchali, paid tribute to the Xudhakantha by terming his death anniversary a “death conquering day”. The Mancha has been commemorating Hazarika’s death anniversary at the junction of Kumarpara Panchali in the city every year since 2011.
Hazarika’s songs by Subhra Dutta Dey and Dhriti Gobind Dutta and chorus performances by children of Santipur unit of Sathya Sai Bal Vikas Kendra and women of the locality marked the occasion.
Radio artiste and journalist Bidyut Kumar Bhuyan was invited as the chief guest while felicitations were accorded to musician Niketan Das, music director Barsha Baruah and artist Jyoti Kalita.
Cotton University students here paid tribute to Hazarika. An inter-college quiz competition was held on the campus.
People paid floral tribute and lit diyas in front of Hazarika’s newly unveiled idol at a day-long programme organised by Ankur Sangha, Hojai district Asam Sahitya Sabha, and Samnavaya Ekamancha on the Ankur Sangha premises in Hojai on Tuesday.
The foundation stone of a library was laid and a foundation stone of Bhupen Hazarika open stage was also laid in the town. A plantation drive was carried out on the Sangha premises.
A statue of music maestro Hazarika was inaugurated in Duliajan in Tinsukia district on Tuesday.
Additional reporting by Nikhil Kumar Mundra in Hojai and Manoj Kumar Ojha in
Doomdooma
