Assam marks Zubeen Garg's first death anniversary as CM calls loss a void never accepted
Assam observes Zubeen Garg's first death anniversary with a three-day 'Zubeen Divas'; CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says the loss is a void one learns to live with but never accepts.
Assam on Saturday observed the first death anniversary of singer Zubeen Garg, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma paying tribute and describing the loss as a void that can be lived with but never accepted.
In a social media post, Mr. Sarma said it felt surreal that a year had passed without the singer, and that there were moments when he almost expected Zubeen to walk in, in his inimitable style, before the loss sank in once more. He described grief as a void people learn to live with but never truly accept.
The Chief Minister shared a video in which he is heard saying he is a Zubeen fan and loves listening to his songs because they are for the common man. He placed the singer alongside Jyoti Prasad Agarawala, Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Bhupen Hazarika as treasures of the State, and said Zubeen's songs would continue to inspire people for a long time and remain a symbol reflecting their joys and sorrows. In an earlier post, he wrote, "Miss you, Zubeen."
Garg died on September 19 last year while swimming in the sea in Singapore, where he had gone to attend the North East India Festival. His death anniversary is being commemorated through a three-day event, 'Zubeen Divas', which began on Thursday at his memorial site at Kamarkuchi on the outskirts of Guwahati, with fans arriving from across the State.
His wife, Garima Saikia Garg, along with other family members, friends and associates, has been present at the memorial site since Thursday. Devotional prayers are being offered with earthen lamps and the traditional 'gamosa', while fans sing his songs and artists paint his portraits. The anniversary is also being observed in his hometown of Jorhat and in towns and villages across Assam.
After his death, the State government constituted a Special Investigation Team of the Assam Police's CID to probe the case. The SIT filed its charge sheet before a local court here in December, naming seven accused, four of whom face murder charges. A special fast-track sessions court has since been constituted and is hearing the matter. Singapore Police conducted a separate probe and concluded that there was no evidence of foul play.