Assam remembers the Bard of the Brahmaputra

CM iugurates Dr Bhupen Hazarika's memorial at Jalukbari, programmes organized across the State to mark Xudhakontho's fourth death anniversary

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Nov 5: Lighting candles, offering floral tributes, singing his timeless songs and recalling his sigl contributions, people across the State today fondly remembered the legendary Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his fourth death anniversary.

Programmes were organized at various places on the occasion.

Iugurating the Bhupen Hazarika Memorial at Jalukbari in the city, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi announced constitution of a Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Society and said the State government has earmarked Rs 10 crore for the purpose.

The Chief Minister also said he would write to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for a suitable place for erection of a statue of the maestro, besides taking steps for similar initiatives in Kolkata and in Columbia (USA) where the maestro did his doctoral work.

Gogoi said that Dr. Hazarika was an institution by himself and endeared all by his unbounded love for humanity. “Dr. Hazarika lives in the hearts and minds of the people. His songs reflect the hopes and aspirations, trials and tribulations, rrate tales of injustice, subjugation and oppression, the flora and fau which in essence celebrate the various facets of life in its entirety,” Gogoi said, adding that the maestro’s creations would continue to live so long the mighty Brahmaputra flows.

Gogoi said Dr. Hazarika was a revolutiory leader who wanted to bring an end to all sorts of oppression and subjugation and build a just social order wherein all communities could flourish and live in peaceful co-existence.

Lauding the efforts of Cultural Affairs Department, PWD (Buildings) and other stake holders in building the Xamadhisthal, Gogoi said that the State government would make continued efforts to spruce up the memorial in the days ahead.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Cultural Affairs, Bismita Gogoi said that a long-cherished dream of the people has been fulfilled with the iuguration of the Xamadhisthal. She appreciated the efforts of all those involved in the construction of the Xamadhisthal and assured that the remaining works would be completed soon.

Minister for PWD, Ajanta Neog said the Xamadhisthal would help to keep alive the ideals of the doyen of culture and inspire and motivate generations to come.

Addressing the huge gathering, renowned singer, Sudakshi Sarma praised the State government for perpetuating the hallowed memory of Dr. Hazarika for posterity and suggested that a museum be built not only to preserve the maestro’s creations but also to showcase a ‘Mini Assam’. “May the Xamadhisthal become a meeting point of various races and tribes and bring about peace and harmony in society,” she said. Later, the octogerian singer along with her son Rishiraj rendered a song of Dr. Hazarika, much to the delight of the people.