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Assam Announces Inaugural Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award, to Be Presented to Usha Mangeshkar
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Inaugural Award Announcement
The Assam cabinet approved the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award and named veteran singer Usha Mangeshkar its first recipient. The award will be presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the concluding ceremony of the year-long birth-centenary celebrations for Bhupen Hazarika on November 29 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Background and Context
Bhupen Hazarika (born 8 Sept 1926, died 5 Nov 2011) was a singer-composer-filmmaker honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 2019. The Assam government’s centenary programme last year included a tribute meeting attended by the Prime Minister and the release of a commemorative INR100 coin.
Timeline of Key Decisions
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 23 Oct 2026 | Cabinet approved the new national award and announced Usha Mangeshkar as laureate. |
| 29 Nov | Modi to present the award at the centenary closing ceremony in New Delhi. |
| 23 Oct 2026 | Cabinet increased the cash component of the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Award to INR15 lakh. |
| 23 Oct 2026 | Election rules for the Mising and Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Councils were approved. |
Award Details and Associated Honors
- Cash prize: INR10 lakh.
- Frequency: Once every three years for a recognised figure in music, arts or cinema.
- Citation: Accompanies the cash component.
- Expected attendance: 5,000–7,000 participants, with tributes by singers such as Kavita Krishnamurthy, Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal.
State-level honours for 2025 also approved:
- Assam Baibhav – Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee (ophthalmology).
- Assam Saurabh – Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma (wildlife), Nuruddin Ahmed (art direction), Pulak Banerjee (singing), Purnima Devi Barman (wildlife conservation).
- Assam Gaurav – Recognises contributions in agriculture, business, sports, an NGO and a farmer-producer organisation.
Official Statements & Responses
- “It will be conferred once every three years to an internationally or nationally recognised figure in music, arts or cinema,” — Himanta Biswa Sarma, chief minister.
- “The highest civilian honour of Asom Vaibhab will be conferred on Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee … for his immense contribution to healthcare and society,” — Himanta Biswa Sarma, chief minister.
Key Figures
- Himanta Biswa Sarma – Chief Minister of Assam.
- Narendra Modi – Prime Minister of India, presenter of the inaugural award.
- Usha Mangeshkar – Veteran playback singer, first recipient.
- Bhupen Hazarika – Late Assamese singer-composer-filmmaker, namesake of the award.
What’s Next
The award presentation on 29 Nov will close the centenary celebrations and feature musical tributes and an exhibition of Hazarika’s works. The Assam Election Commission will conduct the Mising and Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council elections in November, and the 2026 civilian-honour recipients will be announced one month after the 2025 announcements.