Assam Govt Launches Bhupen Hazarika National Award, Names Usha Mangeshkar First Honoree

Award Announcement

The inaugural Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award will be presented to veteran singer Usha Mangeshkar on November 29 in Delhi's Bharat Mandapam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hand over the award at the closing ceremony of the maestro’s birth‑centenary celebrations. The award, approved by the state cabinet, recognises an internationally or nationally acclaimed figure in music, arts or cinema and carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh plus a citation. A statement from the chief minister’s office expects around 5,000 attendees.

Political Comments

During the same briefing, Sarma mocked opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress keeps “relaunching” the 57‑year‑old politician as a youth icon and that he travels abroad for a “cooling‑off period” after each defeat.

Additional Cabinet Actions

The cabinet also raised the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev International Award prize from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. It named Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee for the Asom Vaibhav honour, and announced Asom Saurabh awards for Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma, Padma Shri Nuruddin Ahmed, singer Pulak Banerjee and conservationist Purnima Devi Barman, plus ten others from agriculture, business and sport and one NGO and one FPO for Asom Gaurav awards. Winners for 2026 will be announced a month later and presented in separate events. The cabinet approved a ₹300 crore Welspun Group investment to set up an industry in Rangia, Kamrup, and cleared election rules for the Mising and Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Councils, targeting November polls.

Context

The new award aims to keep Bhupen Hazarika’s artistic legacy alive, while the broader cabinet decisions reflect Assam’s focus on cultural recognition and economic development.