Assam eyes global spotlight as efforts on to bring Shakira for mega concert in Dibrugarh

In a move aimed at placing Upper Assam on the global entertainment and tourism map, BJP state general secretary and Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) chairman Rituparna Baruah on January 31 said efforts are underway to bring international pop icon Shakira to Dibrugarh as part of the state government’s newly launched concert tourism initiative.

Speaking to reporters in Dibrugarh, Baruah said the proposed mega concert is being planned at Khanikar Stadium, with the objective of transforming the city into a major cultural and tourism destination. He said the initiative aligns with the state government’s broader vision to develop Assam into a tourism hub by leveraging large-scale music and entertainment events.

“Concert tourism has already proven to be a successful model in our neighbouring state Meghalaya, where mega concerts are organised every year and the tourism industry has flourished significantly,” Baruah said. Drawing a comparison, he noted that Assam has recently taken a similar step by organising a major concert in Guwahati, which received an overwhelming response from the public.

Baruah said the government now wants to expand the concert tourism model beyond Guwahati and focus on Upper Assam. “We are thinking of organising a big concert in Dibrugarh and are trying to bring Shakira to perform at Khanikar Stadium. Our main aim is to develop Dibrugarh as a hub of tourist attraction through concert tourism,” he added.

The announcement signals the Assam government’s intent to use high-profile international events as a tool for boosting local economy, hospitality, and visibility of emerging urban centres like Dibrugarh, even as logistical and diplomatic efforts continue to turn the proposal into reality.