Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh Pays Tribute to Zubeen Garg, Urges Government to Honor the Legend with Lasting Memorials

Nanada Kirati Dewan, KalimNews, Guwahati, September 21, 2025 : In a poignant display of respect and admiration, the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), the national social organization for Gorkhas in India, held a heartfelt tribute ceremony for the legendary Assamese singer, Luhitkantha Zubeen Garg, at its Assam State Office in Devkotanagar, Maligaon, Guwahati on Saturday evening. The event, marking a somber moment for the community, coincided with the arrival of Zubeen Garg’s mortal remains in his homeland.

The tribute ceremony, attended by a diverse gathering, included the residents of Devkotanagar, members of the All Assam Gorkha Students' Union (AAGSU), Assam Gorkha Sammelan (AGS), Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha (ANSS), local youth clubs, and the Zubeen Garg Fan Club, all of whom joined BGP leaders in paying their respects. A life-size photograph of Zubeen was draped with fresh floral garlands, while earthen lamps, candles, and incense sticks illuminated the venue in his memory.

Amar Adhikari, President of BGP Assam State Committee, expressed the deep reverence the organization and people of Assam had for the late singer. “Zubeen is the eternal voice of the Brahmaputra, and we will forever remember him as Luhitantha, alongside Sudhakantha Bhupen Hazarika. His contributions as a legendary artist, having over 40,000 songs to his name, as well as his humanitarian efforts and passion for the environment, continue to inspire. On behalf of the Gorkha community, BGP pays tribute to this remarkable legend,” Adhikari stated.

The evening's emotions were further heightened by Nanda Kirati Dewan, General Secretary of BGP Assam, who spoke from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Stadium in Sarusajai, where Zubeen’s body was being kept for public tribute. Dewan made a heartfelt appeal to the Government of Assam, urging them to name the location of Zubeen Garg’s cremation site as ‘Zubeen Nagar’ and to establish a state-of-the-art, technology-enabled cultural infrastructure that would digitally archive his vast body of work, preserving his over 40,000 songs for posterity. "Such an initiative would be a fitting tribute to Zubeen Da, ensuring that his life and works are immortalized," Dewan said.

In a further appeal to honor the iconic singer on an international scale, Dewan suggested that the Government of Assam and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, rename the International Terminal at Lok Priya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to ‘Zubeen Garg International Terminal.’ Dewan also proposed the installation of a life-size statue of Zubeen at the airport’s entrance, symbolizing how the beloved singer carried Assam’s cultural identity to the global stage.

The tribute ceremony was graced by several notable personalities, including Durga Khatiwara, advisor of the Assam Nepali Sahitya Sabha; senior literary figure Naba Sapcota; BGP Kamrup Metro District President Jagdish Gahatraj; General Secretary Durga Devi Thapa; and AAGSU leader Siddhant Adhikari. The evening concluded with heartfelt prayers and a collective remembrance of Zubeen Garg’s unparalleled contributions to music, culture, and humanity.

Zubeen Garg, Assam’s beloved singer, tragically passed away on September 19, 2025, after suffering a seizure while swimming at Lazarus Island in Singapore. He had been in Singapore to perform at the North East India Festival, organized by Shyam Kanu Mahanta. Zubeen was accompanied by members of the Assam Association Singapore, his band manager, and his cousin Sandipan Garg during his final moments. His untimely death has sparked widespread grief and outrage, with multiple FIRs being registered against the event organizers and band manager for alleged negligence concerning his security and health.