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Bharat Ratna conferred on Dr Bhupen Hazarika

By Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI, Aug 8 - Evergreen singer-composer Dr Bhupen Hazarika was posthumously conferred the country�s highest civilian award Bharat Ratna by President Ram Nath Kovind at a glittering function at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Thursday.

Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee and social activist Nanaji Deshmukh were the other two awardees. Deshmukh was given the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

The award was given to Dr Bhupen Hazarika�s son Tej Hazarika by the President. Tej Hazarika was accompanied by his wife and son, besides the extended family of the singer.

Vice President M Venkaikah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, several Union ministers, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and his media adviser Hrishikesh Goswami were among those present at the function held at the imposing Durbar Hall.

Born in 1926, the legendary cultural icon who took folk music of Assam as well as the Northeast to new heights was popularly known as Sudhakantha.

During his lifetime he was awarded with the National Film Award, Padma Shri, Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Padma Vibhushan, and many other prestigious honours. Some of his renowned works in Assamese music which the audience still enjoy include Bistirno Parore, Moi Eti Jajabor, Ganga Mor Maa and Bimurto Mor Nishati Jen.

�The songs and music of Bhupen Hazarika are admired by people across generations. From them radiates the message of justice, harmony and brotherhood. He popularised India�s musical traditions globally. Happy that the Bharat Ratna has been conferred on Bhupen Da,� the Prime Minister tweeted.

Bharat Ratna recipients receive a certificate signed by the President and a peepal-leaf-shaped medallion. There is no monetary grant associated with the award.

Reacting to the honour bestowed on Dr Hazarika, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said it is a matter of pride not only for Assam but the entire country. �Not only the Assamese society, but the entire country will feel elated today as Dr Hazarika composed songs for keeping alive humanity. He encouraged all to work for betterment of society,� he said.

�Our youths should take lessons from his songs so that we can bring glory to Assam though hard work and dedication... We pray that Dr Hazarika gives us his blessings so that in the coming years we can build a powerful society,� Sonowal said.

Talking to newsmen later, Tej Hazarika said he was very content and happy with the kindness and generosity shown by the Government of India for taking his father�s works so seriously.

Asked about the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in protest against which he had refused the coveted award, Tej said that it seems like a very complicated thing. �As far as I am concerned, I am pro-Assam and Assamese language, and anything that if Assam feels humiliated I am not for it...,� he added.

�As a man, my father deep down was very humane. His orientation towards life was very pro-humane. I have seen this form from the way he operated... I remember him for his quality... I knew he was a very good reader of people and he could relate to anybody, no matter what the background was. This is a gift and I learnt this from him,� the US-based Tej said.

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