PM Modi to attend Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's 100th birth anniversary celebrations, Will release Rs 100 coin

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of music legend and great singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in Guwahati on Saturday during his two-day visit to Assam. Prime Minister Modi will release a commemorative coin of Rs 100 in honor of Dr. Hazarika. More than 1,000 artists will perform 14 immortal songs of Dr. Hazarika in the presence of the Prime Minister at a grand centenary celebration organized at Khanapara. The year-long birth centenary celebrations of legendary singer Dr. Bhupen Hazarika began in Assam and other places on Monday. Officials of Delhi-based Assam House organized an event on Monday to pay tribute to the great singer.

Several dignitaries and Assam Bhawan officials including Union Shipping and Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Pabitra Margherita, MPs Bhubaneswar Kalita, Dilip Saikia, Kamakhya Prasad Tasa, Bijuli Kalita Medhi, Rameswar Teli, Parimal Suklabaidya, Kanada Purkayastha and Amarsingh Tisso paid floral tributes at a ceremony held at the Assam House premises. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika sang songs of Assam's land, people, Assam's culture and the rest of the Northeast and took them to the global stage. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Pabitra Margherita paid emotional tributes to the poet of the Brahmaputra, saying his songs will continue to inspire and motivate generations to come.

MP and Assam Pradesh BJP president Dilip Saikia highlighted the life, contributions and relations of Dr Hazarika to inspire the present generations. A musical programme was also organised on the occasion.

The Assam government has planned events for the next 12 months to celebrate the birth centenary. Centenary celebrations will also be held in Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi, where Hazarika lived. A recipient of India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, Dr Hazarika died on November 5, 2011 at the age of 85. Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika's 100th birth anniversary is being celebrated with reverence and enthusiasm across the country.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered his cultural legacy and social contribution through an emotional article. In this article titled 'Tribute to Bhupen Da' published on his official blog, he has described Bhupen Da's biography, his musical journey and social contribution in simple words. He told how Bhupen Da connected with the soil of Assam and gave the message of humanity to the world. This article makes us pledge to take his legacy to the new generation on the beginning of the centenary year.

He was one of the most passionate and extraordinary voices of India. PM Modi wrote at the beginning of the article, 'Today, 8 September, is a special day for people associated with Indian culture and music, especially for the brothers and sisters of Assam. It is the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. He was one of the most passionate and extraordinary voices of India. This year marks the beginning of his birth centenary. This is the time to remember his contribution to art and public awareness.