Bhupen Hazarika’s son writes to govt, says will accept Bharat Ratna conferred on his father

Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 15

The family of Bhupen Hazarika has conveyed to the government that it would accept the Bharat Ratna conferred on the late iconic singer.

In a statement to the government days after sections of the media reported that Hazarika’s son Tej Hazarika has decided to return the award in view of the tensions in northeast over Citizenship Amendment Bill, Tej Hazarika has clarified that it would be his dreamlike privilege to accept the award and that his previous statement on the matter as misinterpreted.

Official sources said in his communications to the Government, Tej Hazarika stated “It is unfortunate that (some) people would completely misinterpret my public statement dated 11th February 2019 regarding the Bharat Ratna itself by sadly misrepresenting my view of it. Although I have lived abroad most of my life my Indian roots have been strong all along as not only was I born in India (so was my mother and my father and their parents), I have family in India. By upbringing, and through informed reflection I have always had the highest regard for the Indian Republic, its vast diversity and its noble institution of recognizing its exceptional individuals from all backgrounds with civilian awards—the highest of them being the Bharat Ratna, recently announced for my father, the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika”.

The late singer’s son also said the central government had “graciously extended me an invitation to accept the Bharat Ratna for my father. He sacrificed much and devoted selflessly to the cause of a united and progressive India and now he is being recognized for that with this well-deserved award.It is a tremendous honor, for me and my family to be invited by the GOI to accept the Bharat Ratna on behalf of my late father. It will be my dreamlike privilege to receive it for my father and his fans and followers everywhere. As always, I will strive to follow in my father's footsteps to work to bring light where there is darkness”.