Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted that Bharat Ratna awardee Bhupen Hazarika’s songs continue to unite India and give energy to its people. Addressing the musical doyen’s birth centenary celebrations in Guwahati, Modi said his creations encompass the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’.
“Bhupen da may not be present physically, but his voice gives energy to people. His songs unite India. His music encompasses the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’. He was rooted in the cultural traditions of India,” the PM said. Modi asserted that Hazarika gave voice to “a united Northeast during the height of violence in the region”.
The Prime Minister said the Bharat Ratna award to Bhupen Hazarika was an honour for the entire Northeast. On the occasion, Modi released a book on the legendary singer and a Rs 100 commemorative coin. “I am honoured to be part of Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary celebrations,” said Modi. He also stressed the importance of cultural connectivity in the development of the country.
“We cannot imagine the country’s development without the progress of the Northeast. The entire country is getting acquainted with the history and heritage of the Northeast as the Centre is emphasising cultural connectivity,” the PM said.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister for his presence at Bhupen Hazarika’s birth anniversary celebrations, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said it healed the wound the people had felt at the “failure” of the then PM to pay respects to the musical maestro on his demise. “When Bhupen da died (in 2011), the people of Assam wanted a representative of Government of India to come and pay respects. We wanted the prime minister to come and lay a garland when he was being cremated,” said Sarma.
“But, our dream did not come true,” he said, in an apparent reference to the then Congress-led central Government and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was also a Rajya Sabha member from Assam. “Today, Modi ji has come to be part of Bhupen da’s birth centenary celebrations. The way he has shown respect for Bhupen da, the people of Assam will never forget it,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister also recounted how Hazarika’s songs and other creations advocated social equality and a deep sense of nationalism. Sarma also thanked the BJP-led central Government for its respect for the ‘Bard of Brahmaputra’, by bestowing the Bharat Ratna, naming the Dhola-Sadiya bridge after him and releasing a Rs 100 coin in his memory.
While Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Bora delivered the welcome address, Bhupen Hazarika’s brother, Samar Hazarika, also spoke on the occasion.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister, Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu, MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Bhupen Hazarika’s son Tej Hazarika, and his sister Kavita Barua were also present on the occasion. Several other ministers, MLAs, MPs and prominent personalities from different fields also took part in the event.