Will the Assam government celebrate the birth centenary of Bhupen Hazarika as a public event?

Guwahati, June 4 (NationPress) The Assam government is gearing up to celebrate the birth centenary of the celebrated Assamese figure Bhupen Hazarika with a public event, announced Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday.

To honor the centenary of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika, the initial meeting of the Core Committee convened today at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, led by CM Sarma. The meeting evaluated various aspects of organizing year-long celebrations dedicated to the artist.

Sarma shared that the state government plans to recognize this centenary from September 8 this year until September 8 next year, aiming to make it a public festivity. He confirmed that the government would extend all necessary assistance to promote widespread participation.

As part of the commemorative efforts, the Chief Minister revealed that plans to rename Dibrugarh Airport after Hazarika are in progress. The Assam Cabinet has given its nod to the proposal, which will be submitted to the Central government after approval from the Assam Legislative Assembly.

He added that while multiple postage stamps in honor of Bhupen Hazarika have been issued, no currency featuring his name has been released yet.

To rectify this, the state government is negotiating with the Reserve Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance to discuss the issuance of a commemorative coin.

To engage the public with Hazarika's life and contributions, the Assam Publication Board has assigned writer and journalist Anuradha Sharma Pujari to compile a commemorative volume. A draft has been submitted to the government, and upon its publication, the book will be translated into 23 Indian languages. The intention is to disseminate it among the youth throughout Assam and beyond. The centenary will also be observed in locations significant to Hazarika’s legacy, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra.

The celebrations will kick off in Guwahati and wrap up in 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Talks with the governments of Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal regarding their involvement have already occurred.

Sarma mentioned that an essay-writing competition for students and the public will be organized, similar to the initiative taken during the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan.

A dedicated portal will be established for this competition, allowing participation from individuals across India. Local committees at the district level will be formed to coordinate local commemorative events, and universities and educational institutions will be encouraged to plan related activities.

Events will persist throughout the year, except during the upcoming Assembly elections. Public suggestions are welcomed to aid in the planning process, with many already received. The Department of Culture will take appropriate steps based on these contributions. During the meeting, representatives from various organizations and notable figures provided suggestions for the effective execution of the centenary events.

The Chief Minister indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to attend the inaugural event on September 8 in Guwahati, with invitations also extended to the Chief Ministers of the northeastern states.