Arunachal Pradesh’s Rajiv Gandhi University remembered the colossal musician and singer Bharat Ratna, Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his eighth death anniversary by organizing a cultural exchange programme on his death anniversary.
“To build a society based on moral and ethical principles we must follow the ideals of Dr Bhupen Hazarika,” Doimukh MLA Tana Hali said while attending the programme as the chief guest.
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“His songs speak of humanity, brotherhood and peace in volumes, which needs to be practiced by us in present times,” he added.
“He considered the whole world his home. Empathy for fellow human beings was the strongest quality of his character and we all must imbibe those humanistic values,” also said the legislator.
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Recalling the film ‘Mera Dharam Meri Ma’, he narrated the story of Bhupen Hazarika’s composition of the famous Assamese song ‘Akhom Amar Rupahi‘ which was inspired from a local Nyishi song.
“We must strive hard to realize his dreams following his ideals of universal brotherhood, Hali said while appealing all the Assamese community to maintain the age-old fraternity between the two states.
Appreciating the University for organizing the event, Hali further assured to render all possible help towards the Assamese community in RGU and his constituency whenever required.
RGU vice chancellor Prof Saket Kushwaha in his speech spoke high of the cultural icon and lauded the contribution of Dr Hazarika in uniting not only Assam and Arunachal Pradesh but the entire north-eastern states.
Also attending the event as guest of honour, AAPSU vice president (admin) Meje Taku said the people of Arunachal would remain ever grateful to Dr Bhupen Hazarika who dedicated his life to sing for humanity and brotherhood through his everlasting songs.
“Bhupen da is very close to our heart. Some lines of our AAPSU flag song also has been taken from his work,” Taku said.
Recollecting the life and works of the music maestro, the AAPSU VP said Hazarika has immortalised the mountains, hills, rivers and the people of Arunachal with his songs.
Calling for harmony and peaceful co-existence as neighbouring states, Taku also urged the Assamese students pursuing higher studies in RGU to take home good memories and spread the same in their respective communities so that there is a healthy narration of the Arunachalee people in Assam.
RGU Research Scholars Forum general secretary Prem Taba said the agenda of the programme was to realize the real meaning of Dr Hazarika’s dream of Assam-Arunachal fraternalism and to strengthen their bilateral relations.
The event has been organized so that the younger generation could keep alive the culture amongst them which Bhupen da has contributed towards the society, he added.
Prof H N Sarma, advisor RGUASF also spoke on the occasion.
The cultural exchange programme was organized by the RGU Assam Students’ Forum and RGU Research Scholars’ Forum.
Apart from cultural showcases from both states and performance of popular Bhupen Hazarika songs, annual souvenir of the RGUASF ‘Bolungar Pora Biswadarbaroloi’ was also released on the occasion.
RGU registrar Prof Tomo Riba, joint registrar Dr David Pertin, faculties, staffs and students attended the programme.