'Bharat Ratna' Awarded to Bhupen Hazarika, Ex-Prez Pranab Mukherjee

New Delhi, August 8, 2019:

Assam's 'Sudkantha' and cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika, along with former President Pranab Mukherjee and social activist Nanaji Deshmukh, have been conferred with India's highest civilian award: The Bharat Ratna.

Hazarika, popularly known as Sudhakantha (nightingale), is also a poet and a filmmaker. He passed away on 5 November, 2011.

Bhupen Hazarika has also been credited for introducing the folk music of Assam and Northeast India to the Indian cinema.

The late singing maestro's son Tej Hazarika received the Bharat Ratna on his behalf. "I am feeling very proud and honored", said Tez, after receiving the award on his late father's behalf. Tez's wife and his

The 83-year-old Pranah Mukherjee has had a long political career spanned over five decades, during which he served as the thirteenth president from 2012-2017 and as the Union Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012, among various key posts.

Social activist Nanaji Deshmukh, who was also posthumously awarded, is one of the founding members of Bharatiya Jan Sangh. He also established a chain of RSS-inspired schools throughout India.

It is to be mentioned that the announcement for Bharat Ratna was made on 25 January in a statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Meanwhile, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal has lauded Hazarika and said that he brought about cultural, as well as a social revolution in Assam through his inspirational and iconic songs.

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