Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika: National Awards Honor Northeast Luminaries

Honoring a Musical Legend

Guwahati, Nov 4: Union Minister for Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, remarked on Monday that Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's music not only empowered the human spirit, akin to the mighty Brahmaputra, but also narrated the collective story of India. He emphasized how Hazarika's artistry served as a means to heal, connect, and unify.

During the ceremony to present the Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika National Awards to six notable figures from the Northeast, Scindia paid heartfelt tributes to Hazarika, celebrating his ability to weave together the diverse cultures, music, and traditions of India into a cohesive narrative.

Scindia highlighted that Hazarika harnessed various forms of mass communication to document the rich tapestry of India's history through his lyrics, music, films, and writings.

The awards, commemorating Hazarika's centenary, were awarded to six distinguished individuals from the Northeast, including Laishram Mema Devi, a celebrated classical singer from Manipur; LR Sailo, a veteran media and public relations expert from Mizoram; Yeshe Dorje Thongchi, a prominent writer and storyteller from Arunachal Pradesh; Prof. David R. Syiemlieh, a noted historian and former UPSC chairman from Meghalaya; Dr. Surjya Kanta Hazarika, an author and cultural curator; and Rajni Basumatary, an actress and filmmaker.

Each awardee received a cash prize of Rs 51,000, along with a citation, a memento, a shawl from Maharashtra, and a gamosa. This award is presented annually to individuals from the Northeast who have excelled in various fields at the national level.

Established in 2012 by Sarhad, a Pune-based organization dedicated to social, cultural, and educational initiatives, the Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika National Award aims to recognize contributions in India's border regions, especially in conflict-affected states like Assam, Manipur, Punjab, and Kashmir.

The event was chaired by Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap, a senior journalist and Chancellor of Nagaland University, and attended by notable figures including North Eastern Council (NEC) secretary Satinder Bhalla, Bhupen Hazarika's youngest brother Samar Hazarika, and representatives from Sarhad Pune, among others.

Anuj Nahar, a trustee of Sarhad, introduced the organization and its connection to Bhupen Hazarika, particularly during the later years of his life, and discussed various initiatives undertaken in the Northeast.

He also announced plans for Sarhad to establish the Late Smt Jamnabai Firodia Northeast India Bhawan in Pune, aimed at rehabilitating and educating girls from violence-affected areas, along with a Bhupen Hazarika studio for music and culture and a Srimanta Sankaradeva Namghar in Pune.

By Staff Reporter