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I shall say, Bhupen Da! You shall say, 'Amar Rahe!  Amar Rahe'! (May he remain immortal)

Bhupen Da,  Amar Rahe!  Amar Rahe! 
Bhupen Da,  Amar Rahe!  Amar Rahe!
Bhupen Da,  Amar Rahe!  Amar Rahe!

Governor of Assam, Shri Laxman Prasad Acharya ji, the popular Chief Minister of this state, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma ji, the youthful Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Pema Khandu ji, my cabinet colleague Shri Sarbananda Sonowal ji, Bhupen Hazarika ji’s brother present on stage Shri Samar Hazarika ji, Bhupen Hazarika ji’s sister Smt. Kavita Barua ji, Bhupen Da’s son, Shri Tej Hazarika ji—Tej, I shall greet you with 'Kem Cho!' Other dignitaries present here and my brothers and sisters of Assam!

Today is a marvellous day, and this moment is priceless. The spectacle I have witnessed here, the enthusiasm, the harmony, the rhythm of Bhupen’s music that I saw—if I may say it in Bhupen Da’s own words—again and again my heart was echoing the song, "Samay O Dhire Chalo , Samay O Dhire Chalo". My heart desired that this wave of Bhupen’s music continues to flow everywhere, endlessly. I deeply appreciate all the artists who have participated in this event. The spirit of Assam is such that every occasion here creates a new record. Today also, the tremendous preparation of your performances was clearly visible. My congratulations to all of you!

Friends,

A few days ago, on the 8th of September, we observed the birth anniversary of Bhupen Hazarika ji. On that day, in an article dedicated to Bhupen Da, I expressed my emotions. I am fortunate that I have got the opportunity to participate in this 100th birth anniversary celebration. Just now, Himanta was saying that by coming here I have bestowed a blessing. It is the other way round! To be present on such a sacred occasion is indeed my good fortune. We all fondly called Bhupen Da 'Sudha Kontho'. This is the centenary year of that 'Sudha Kontho' who gave voice to Bharat's emotions, who connected music with sensitivity, who wove Bharat's dreams into his songs, and who narrated the compassion of Maa Ganga to Maa Bharati - Ganga Behti ho kyun?  Ganga Behti ho kyun?

Friends,

Bhupen Da composed such evergreen creations which, through their notes, kept uniting Bharat, which kept inspiring the generations of Bharat.

Brothers and sisters,

Bhupen Da is no longer physically among us, but his songs, his voice, even today, stand witness to Bharat's journey of development and continue to energise it. Our government is proudly celebrating the centenary year of Bhupen Da. We are carrying Bhupen Hazarika ji’s songs, his messages, and his life journey to every household. Today, his biography too has been released here. On this occasion, I bow in reverence to Dr Bhupen Hazarika ji. Along with my brothers and sisters of Assam, I extend my greetings to every Indian on this centenary birth year of Bhupen Da.

Friends,

Bhupen Hazarika ji served music throughout his life. When music becomes meditation, it touches our soul. When music becomes a resolve, it becomes a medium to show a new direction to society. This is why Bhupen Da’s music was so very special. The ideals he lived, the experiences he had, he sang the same in his songs. We find such immense love for Maa Bharati in his songs because he lived the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'.

Just reflect—he was born in the North East, the sacred waves of the Brahmaputra imparted to him the lessons of music. Then he went to Kashi for graduation, and the musical quest that began with the Brahmaputra’s waves attained fulfilment through the murmuring of the Ganga. The dynamism of Kashi gave his life an unbroken flow. He became a wandering traveller; he journeyed across the whole of Bharat. Then, to pursue his PhD, he went even to America! Yet, at every stage of life, he remained connected to the soil of Assam as a true son, and therefore he returned to Bharat! Here, in cinema, he became the voice of the common man, he gave voice to the pain of their lives. That voice still shakes us today.

His song “Manuhe manuhor babe, jodihe aokonu nabhabe, aokoni hohanubhutire, bhabibo konenu kua?”—which means, *if human beings themselves do not think of the joys and sorrows, the pain and sufferings of other human beings, then who in this world will care for one another?*—just imagine, how inspiring this is for us. With this very thought, today India is engaged in improving the lives of the villages, the poor, the Dalits, the deprived, and the tribal communities.

Friends,

Bhupen Da was a great hero of Bharat's unity and integrity. Decades ago, when the North East was subjected to neglect, when the North East was left to burn in the inferno of violence and separatism, even in those difficult times Bhupen Da kept raising the voice of Bharat's unity. He dreamt of a prosperous North East. He sang of the North East nestled in the wondrous beauty of nature. For Assam, he sang:

“Nana jati-upojati, rahoniya krishti, akuwali loi hoisil srishti, ei mor Ahom desh.” When we hum this song, we feel proud of Assam’s diversity. We feel proud of Assam’s strength and potential.

Friends,

He loved Arunachal equally, and therefore today the Chief Minister of Arunachal has specially come here. Bhupen Da wrote:  “Arun kiran shish bhushan, bhoomi suramayi sundara, Arunachal hamara, Arunachal hamara.”

Friends,

The voice that emerges from the heart of a true patriot never goes in vain. Today, to realise his dreams for the North East, we are working day and night. Our government, by conferring upon Bhupen Da the Bharat Ratna, has honoured the dreams and dignity of the North East and has also made the North East a priority for the nation. When we built one of the longest bridges in the country, linking Assam and Arunachal, we named it the Bhupen Hazarika Bridge. Today, Assam and the entire North East are progressing rapidly. In every dimension of development, new records are being set. These achievements of development are a true tribute from the nation to Bhupen Da.

Friends,

Our Assam, our North East, has always made a great contribution to Bharat's cultural diversity. The history of this land, its festivals, its celebrations, its art, its culture, its natural beauty, its divine aura, and together with all this, the sacrifices made by the people here for the honour, dignity, and defence of Maa Bharati—without this we cannot even imagine our great Bharat. Our North East is indeed the land of new light and new dawn for the nation. After all, the first sunrise of the country takes place here. Bhupen Da gave voice to this very sentiment in his song: “Ahom amar ruppohi, gunoru nai hesh, Bharator purbo dikhor, hurjo utha desh!” 

Therefore, brothers and sisters,

When we celebrate the history of Assam, only then is the history of Bharat complete, only then is the joy of Bharat complete, and we must continue moving ahead with pride.

Friends,

When we speak of connectivity, people usually think of rail, road or air connectivity. But for the unity of the nation, one more connectivity is equally essential, and that is cultural connectivity. Over the past eleven years, along with the development of the North East, the nation has also given great importance to cultural connectivity. This is a mission, which continues unceasingly. Today, in this event, we are seeing a glimpse of that mission. Not long ago, we also celebrated the 400th birth anniversary of Veer Lachit Borphukan at the national level. Even in the freedom struggle, countless warriors of Assam and the North East made unprecedented sacrifices! During the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', we once again brought alive the freedom fighters of the North East and the history of this region. Today, the whole nation is becoming acquainted with Assam’s history and contribution. Recently, we also organised the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in Delhi. In that celebration too, Assam’s strength and skill were evident.

Friends,

Whatever the circumstances, Assam has always given voice to the nation’s pride. This very voice we hear in the songs of Bhupen Da. When the war of 1962 took place, Assam was witnessing that battle directly. At that time, Bhupen Da gave strength to the nation. He sang: “Proti jowan ruktore bindu, hahahor anant hindhu, sei hahahor durjoy lahore, jashile protijna joyre.” That pledge filled the countrymen with new enthusiasm.

Friends,

That sentiment, that spirit, still stands firm like a rock in the hearts of the people. We saw this even during Operation Sindoor.. The country gave such a reply to Pakistan’s terrorist plots that the echo of Bharat's strength resounded across the world. We have shown that Bharat's enemy will not be safe in any corner. New Bharat will not compromise its security and pride at any cost.

Friends,

Every dimension of Assam’s culture is marvellous and extraordinary, and therefore I have often said that the day is not far when the children of the country will learn 'A for Assam'. Along with its culture, dignity, and pride, Assam is also a source of immense possibilities. Assam’s attire, its cuisine, its tourism, its products—we must give all of these recognition not only across the country but also throughout the world. You all know, I myself very proudly promote the branding of Assam’s Gamosa. Similarly, we must take every product of Assam to the farthest corners of the world.

Friends,

Bhupen Da’s entire life remained dedicated to the goals of the nation. Today, on this centenary year of Bhupen Da’s birth, we must take the resolve of self-reliance for the country. I appeal to my brothers and sisters of Assam—we must become the brand ambassadors of 'Vocal for Local'. We must take pride in indigenous goods. We must buy indigenous, and we must sell indigenous. The faster we advance these campaigns, the faster the dream of a Viksit Bharat will be fulfilled.

Friends,

Bhupen Da, at the age of thirteen, had written a song: “Agnijugor phiringoti moi, notun Bharat gadhim, harboharar harboshwo punor phirai anim, notun Bharat gadhim.”

Friends,

In this song, he considered himself a spark of fire and took the pledge that he would build a new Bharat. A new Bharat, where every afflicted and deprived person regains his rights.

My brothers and sisters,

The vision of a new Bharat that Bhupen Da had seen at that time has today become the nation’s resolve. We must connect ourselves to this resolve. Today is the time that we place the Viksit Bharat of 2047 at the centre of every effort, every resolve. The inspiration for this will come from Bhupen Da’s songs, from his life. These very resolutions of ours will fulfil the dreams of Bhupen Hazarika ji. With this spirit, once again I extend my hearty greetings to all countrymen on the centenary year of Bhupen Da. I request you all: please take out your mobile phones and switch on the flashlight, and pay homage to Bhupen Da. These thousands upon thousands of lights are offering homage to Bhupen Da’s immortal soul. Today’s generation is adorning his voice with light. Thank you very much!

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MJPS/VJ/IG