GUWAHATI: The 11th death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika will be observed on November 5 in Dhaka under the initiative of Shilpakala Academy and Byatikram MASDO.
Regarding this, a press meet was held at the premises of Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Guwahati in the city on Tuesday. At the beginning of the press meet, a minute silence was offered as a mark of respect to the late artistes Nipon Goswami and Neelpaban Baruah.The meet was held in the presence of Manisha Hazarika, eminent singer; Dr Shah Mohammad Tanvir Mansur, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Guwahati; Dr. Saumen Bharatiya, president of Byatikram MASDO; and others.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Saumen Bharatiya said, "In 2016, for the very first time, we organized the 90th birth anniversary of the great artiste Dr Bhupen Hazarika at the Shilpakala Academy of Bangladesh and since then till 2021, we have been celebrating the programme every year in his memory. Bangladesh and India have already exchanged more than 200 artistes, including Bhupen Hazarika's sister Sudakshina Sharma, Samar Hazarika, Dikshu, Dawar Hazarika, Dr Sangita Kakoti, Dr Amarjyoti Chowdhury, Padmanabh Bordoloi, Seemanta Shekhar and Anuradha Sharma Pujari. This time too, on November 5, the 11th death anniversary of Dr Bhupen Hazarika will be held at the National Theatre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy."
He further said, "A 20-member delegates will participate in the occasion, such as Bhupen Hazarika's sister-in-law Manisha Hazarika, Mayukh Hazarika, Geetanjali Kakoti, Dr Mainu Devi, Pradip Kumar Kakoti, among others. On the occasion, every item of the community, including indigenous costumes of Assam will be displayed under the initiative of Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission."
Manisha Hazarika said, "Bhupen da's 11th death anniversary is on November 5. Since he was a wanderer (jajabor), it's really such a beautiful and commendable step taken by Byatikram MASDO."
Dr Shah Mohammad Tanvir Mansur said, "I have been in Assam for almost four years as Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh. Dr Bhupen Hazarika has played a significant role in the cultural alliance which has led to the establishment of a strong bond with Bangladesh. Dr Bhupen Hazarika is very popular in Bangladesh. I would like to thank Byatikram and the team members for such a wonderful event and we will always do what we have to do from our side."
Major Shamsul Arefin, Chief Coordinator of Friends of Bangladesh, said, "Dr Bhupen Hazarika is actually a symbol of peace and harmony. He also mentioned that remembering him means strengthening relations between two countries."
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