Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Friday that the closing ceremony of the birth centenary celebrations for the legendary cultural icon Dr. Bhupen Hazarika will be hosted in New Delhi. The event, scheduled to take place on November 29 at the Bharat Mandapam, will serve as a platform to honor the artistic legacy of the maestro, whose contributions in music, poetry, and philosophy continue to hold significant cultural importance.
As part of the centenary commemorations, the state Cabinet has officially approved the institution of a new national-level honor titled the 'Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award'. Chief Minister Sarma confirmed that the inaugural edition of this prestigious award will be presented to acclaimed singer Usha Mangeshkar. She is being recognized for her extensive and outstanding contributions to the field of Indian music.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to present the award to Mangeshkar during the concluding ceremony in the capital. According to the state government, the award is intended to be a recurring tribute, to be conferred once every three years. It will be presented to a distinguished individual who has achieved national or international recognition for their work in the spheres of music, cinema, or the broader arts.
The award package comprises a citation and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh. Official details from the Chief Minister's Office indicate that the upcoming event is expected to draw a significant audience, with approximately 5,000 guests from various sectors of society anticipated to attend the celebrations at Bharat Mandapam. The program is designed to highlight the multifaceted genius of Dr. Hazarika, reflecting on his humanist philosophy and the way his body of work has successfully bridged diverse geographical and cultural divides across the country.
Beyond the announcements regarding the centenary event, Chief Minister Sarma also addressed political developments during his interaction with the media. Responding to previous remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi concerning the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, Sarma characterized the Congress party’s political strategy as a repetitive process of attempting to relaunch the same individual. The Chief Minister suggested that the party consistently presents the leader as a youth icon, a narrative he contested by comparing age demographics.
Sarma further commented on the frequent overseas travel undertaken by the Congress leader, describing these trips as a form of a cooling-off period. He remarked that after each unsuccessful political cycle, the leader departs for international travel before returning to be relaunched once more by his party. He argued that while the party leadership maintains enthusiasm for these efforts, the public reception remains stagnant.
The announcement of the new national award represents a significant effort by the Assam government to institutionalize the memory of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on a national scale. By aligning the award with a triennial cycle and prestigious criteria, the state aims to ensure that his influence on Indian arts remains a permanent fixture in the cultural landscape. The upcoming ceremony in November is viewed as the focal point of these commemorative efforts, bringing together prominent figures to celebrate a legacy that continues to resonate within India's artistic community.
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