Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on wednesday participated in the ‘Shraddhanjali’ programme organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, at Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Tirtha, Jalukbari, Guwahati and led the state in paying rich tributes to the bard of the Brahmaputra on his 14th death anniversary. During the event, a human chain formed, performed the iconic song ‘Manuhe Manuhor Babe’ in unison. Joining the chorus, the Chief Minister through the song also paid heartfelt tribute to Sudhakantha.
Expressing his feeling on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr Sarma said that on this day, people of Assam as well as the people belonging to Assamese communities living abroad are paying homage to Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika through various programmes organised in their respective places. He informed that synchronizing with the occasion special homage programmes were organized in all 35 districts and 27 sub-divisions of the State, where thousands of students, youth and citizens participated in human chains and collectively lent their voice on ‘Manuhe Manuhor Babe’.
Around two lakh artistes and citizens across the state both Barak and Brahmaputra valleys participated to pay their respects on the occasion. The Chief Minister thanked all artistes, students, youth and citizens for their participation and congratulated Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora and officials of the department for the successful organization of the event. The Chief Minister stated that Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s song ‘Manuhe Manuhor Babe’ is not just Assam’s treasure; it belongs to all humanity. The State Government is working to get the song recognized as the Anthem of Humanity, as the Government has decided to submit a formal request to the United Nations for this recognition.
Just as the present Government succeeded in obtaining UNESCO World Heritage status for the Charaideo Maidam and Classical Language status for Assamese, he expressed confidence that Assam will also succeed in securing recognition of ‘Manuhe Manuhor Babe’ as the Anthem of Humanity in the coming days. Dr Sarma further said that the centenary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s birth anniversary is being celebrated across the nation with great solemnity. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had participated in the inaugural programme of the year-long centenary celebration of Dr Bhupen Hanzarika and unveiled a commemorative coin issued by the Reserve Bank of India in memory of the doyen.
The Chief Minister announced that the State Government as a part of the year-long celebrations of the birth centenary of the Bard of the Brahmaputra, will hold similar cultural programmes in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, with the concluding function to be held in Delhi. The Chief Minister moreover said that this year during Rongali Bihu celebrations, steps have been taken to dedicate at least one evening exclusively in the memory of Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
The Government has decided to provide additional grants to Bihu committees for organizing such dedicated evenings, celebrating Dr Hazarika’s rich legacy. Referring to the relations of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister mentioned that Dr Bhupen Hazarika had significantly contributed to strengthen the cultural bond between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, to immortalize his memory, State Government has decided to install a 100 feet tall statue of Dr Bhupen Hazarika at the zero point of the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge.
The Public Works Department has completed all preliminary works for the purpose. Once completed, the statue will symbolize the unity of the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Dr Sarma further announced that every town in Assam will soon have a road dedicated to Dr Bhupen Hazarika. Stating a composition of Dr Bhupen Hazarika namely ‘Swahid Pranamo Tumak’, in remembrance of the martyrs of the Assam Movement, Dr Sarma announced that the song will be played across the state during the inauguration of Martyrs’ Memorial in Guwahati on December 10.
The programme was attended by Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, Dr B Kalyan Chakravarthy, Director Cultural Affairs Rahul Das, District Commissioner Kamrup Metropolitan Sumit Sattawan, eminent artiste and Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s younger brother Samar Hazarika and a host of other dignitaries.
