Veteran singer Usha Mangeshkar has been selected as the first recipient of the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award instituted by the Assam government. The award will be presented on November 29 in New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the conclusion of the year-long celebrations commemorating the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika.
The Assam cabinet approved the institution of the national award, which carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and a citation. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced Mangeshkar’s selection following the cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The new honour is intended to recognise nationally and internationally acclaimed individuals working in fields connected with Hazarika’s contributions, including singing, music composition, songwriting, filmmaking and acting. The award will be presented once every three years.
Usha Mangeshkar Named First Recipient of Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award
The Assam government has chosen singer Usha Mangeshkar as the inaugural recipient of the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award, a new honour established in recognition of the legacy of the celebrated Assamese cultural icon.
The award ceremony is scheduled for November 29 in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will present the honour to Mangeshkar. The event will also mark the conclusion of the year-long celebrations commemorating the birth centenary of Bhupen Hazarika, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna.
The award includes a cash component of ₹10 lakh and a formal citation. By establishing the honour, the Assam government is creating a national-level recognition for individuals whose work relates to the artistic and cultural fields associated with Hazarika’s legacy.
The selection of Mangeshkar as the first recipient gives the new award its inaugural recognition. The supplied announcement does not provide further details about the selection process or the specific reasons behind her selection.
What Is the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
The Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award is a new national honour instituted by the Assam government. According to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, it will be conferred every three years on an internationally acclaimed personality working in a field related to Hazarika’s contributions.
Announcing the decision, Sarma said the award would recognise individuals from a range of artistic and cultural disciplines.
“The award will be presented every three years. It will be a national award conferred to an internationally acclaimed singer, composer, lyricist, movie director, actor or any other field related to the works of Hazarika.”
The award’s scope extends beyond singers and musicians. It can also recognise composers, lyricists, film directors, actors and individuals working in other fields connected with Hazarika’s work.
This broad eligibility allows the honour to recognise different forms of artistic expression rather than limiting it to a single profession. The three-year interval also distinguishes it from annual awards announced by the Assam government.
Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Award name | Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award |
| Instituted by | Government of Assam |
| First recipient | Usha Mangeshkar |
| Presentation date | November 29 |
| Presentation venue | New Delhi |
| Presenter | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Cash prize | ₹10 lakh |
| Other component | Citation |
| Frequency | Once every three years |
| Eligible fields | Singing, composition, songwriting, filmmaking, acting and other fields related to Hazarika’s work |
November 29 Ceremony to Conclude Bhupen Hazarika Birth Centenary Celebrations
The presentation of the inaugural award will coincide with the conclusion of the year-long birth centenary celebrations of Bhupen Hazarika.
The Assam government has linked the ceremony to the commemoration of Hazarika’s life and legacy. The programme will bring the centenary celebrations to a close while introducing a national award intended to recognise outstanding contributions in related artistic and cultural fields.
Hazarika’s recognition as a Bharat Ratna awardee forms part of the context for the new honour. By naming the award after him, the Assam government is establishing a formal recognition associated with his legacy across music, cinema and other creative disciplines.
The event is scheduled to take place in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi presenting the award to Mangeshkar. The supplied announcement does not provide additional details about the ceremony’s programme or the other participants expected to attend.
Assam Increases Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev International Award Prize Money
Alongside the announcement of the new national award, the Assam cabinet approved an increase in the prize money for the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev International Award.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the cash component would rise from ₹10 lakh to ₹15 lakh. The increase raises the monetary value of the existing honour by ₹5 lakh.
The decision was among several announcements made following the cabinet meeting. While the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award is a newly instituted honour, the Sankardev award’s change concerns the prize amount attached to an existing recognition.
Assam Announces Civilian Award Recipients for 2025
The Assam cabinet also approved the names of recipients for the state’s civilian awards for 2025. Sarma announced the selections, which include the Asom Vaibhab, Asom Saurabh and Asom Gaurav honours.
These awards recognise contributions across areas such as healthcare, conservation, arts, agriculture, business and sports. The announcement included one recipient for the state’s highest civilian honour and four recipients for the Asom Saurabh awards.
Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee to Receive Asom Vaibhab
Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee, president and founder trustee of Sri Sankardeva Nethralaya, has been selected for the Asom Vaibhab award, the state’s highest civilian honour.
According to Sarma, the award recognises Bhattacharjee’s contribution to healthcare and society. His work with Sri Sankardeva Nethralaya was cited in the announcement of the selection.
The recognition places healthcare and social contribution at the centre of this year’s Asom Vaibhab award. The supplied announcement does not provide further information about the award ceremony or additional details about Bhattacharjee’s work.
Four Recipients Selected for Asom Saurabh Awards
Four individuals from different fields have been selected for the Asom Saurabh awards. Their work spans wildlife conservation, sculpture and set design, music and environmental protection.
- Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma: A wildlife veterinarian and conservationist.
- Nuruddin Ahmed: A sculptor and set designer who has received the Padma Shri.
- Pulak Banerjee: A singer.
- Purnima Devi Barman: A conservationist.
The range of recipients reflects the different professional areas represented among the awardees. Their selections were announced by the chief minister following cabinet approval.
Asom Gaurav Awards to Recognise Individuals and Organisations
The Assam government has also selected 10 individuals from the fields of agriculture, business and sports for the Asom Gaurav awards. In addition, one non-governmental organisation (NGO) and one farmer producer organisation (FPO) have been selected for recognition.
The inclusion of organisations alongside individual recipients broadens the scope of the awards beyond personal achievements. However, the supplied announcement does not identify the 10 individual recipients or name the selected NGO and FPO.
When Will Assam Announce the 2026 Civilian Awards?
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the recipients of the 2026 civilian awards would be announced after one month.
He also clarified that the awardees for 2025 and 2026 would receive their honours at separate events. This means the two groups will be recognised through two distinct ceremonies rather than a combined presentation.
The announcement provides a timeline for the next round of civilian award selections while keeping the presentation events for the two years separate. The supplied information does not specify the exact dates or venues for those ceremonies.
Assam Cabinet Approves ₹300 Crore Welspun Group Investment
Beyond awards and cultural initiatives, the Assam cabinet approved an investment proposal worth ₹300 crore from the Welspun Group to establish an industry at Rangia in Kamrup district.
The approval represents a separate economic development decision announced after the cabinet meeting. The supplied information identifies the proposed investment amount and location but does not specify the type of industry, the project’s construction schedule, expected employment generation or the proposed production capacity.
Those details would be needed to assess the project’s potential economic impact more fully. For now, the cabinet announcement confirms approval of the ₹300 crore investment proposal at Rangia.
Cabinet Clears Election Rules for Two Autonomous Councils
The Assam cabinet also approved election rules for the Mising Autonomous Council and the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council. According to the announcement, the approval paves the way for elections to both councils to be held in November.
The decision concerns the administrative process required for elections to the two autonomous councils. The supplied report does not provide further details about the election schedule, nomination process or other arrangements.
The council election rules were approved alongside the award-related decisions and the Welspun Group investment proposal, making them part of a wider set of administrative and policy matters considered by the state cabinet.
Key Decisions Announced by the Assam Cabinet
| Decision | Details |
|---|---|
| New national award | Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award instituted |
| First national award recipient | Usha Mangeshkar |
| Award presentation | November 29 in New Delhi |
| National award prize | ₹10 lakh and a citation |
| Sankardev award prize increase | Raised from ₹10 lakh to ₹15 lakh |
| Asom Vaibhab 2025 | Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee |
| Asom Saurabh 2025 | Four recipients announced |
| Asom Gaurav 2025 | 10 individuals, one NGO and one FPO selected |
| 2026 civilian awards | Recipients expected to be announced after one month |
| Welspun Group proposal | ₹300 crore investment at Rangia in Kamrup district approved |
| Autonomous council elections | Election rules approved for the Mising and Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Councils |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who will receive the first Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
Singer Usha Mangeshkar has been selected as the first recipient of the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award instituted by the Assam government.
When will Usha Mangeshkar receive the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
The award is scheduled to be presented on November 29 in New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What is the prize money for the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
The award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and a citation. It will be presented once every three years.
Who is eligible for the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
According to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the award can be conferred on internationally acclaimed individuals in singing, music composition, lyric writing, filmmaking, acting and other fields related to Bhupen Hazarika’s work.
Why is the award being presented on November 29?
The ceremony will mark the conclusion of the year-long celebrations commemorating the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika.
Who has been selected for the Asom Vaibhab award for 2025?
Dr Harsha Bhattacharjee, president and founder trustee of Sri Sankardeva Nethralaya, has been selected for the Asom Vaibhab award in recognition of his contribution to healthcare and society.
What is the revised prize money for the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev International Award?
The Assam cabinet has approved an increase in the prize amount from ₹10 lakh to ₹15 lakh.
What other decisions did the Assam cabinet announce?
The cabinet approved a ₹300 crore Welspun Group investment proposal at Rangia in Kamrup district and cleared election rules for the Mising Autonomous Council and the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council, paving the way for elections in November.
Conclusion
The Assam government has instituted the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award and selected Usha Mangeshkar as its first recipient. Scheduled for presentation on November 29 in New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the award will mark the conclusion of the year-long celebrations commemorating Hazarika’s birth centenary.
The Assam cabinet also announced the 2025 civilian award recipients, increased the prize money for the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev International Award and approved a ₹300 crore Welspun Group investment proposal. In addition, it cleared election rules for two autonomous councils, with elections expected in November.
Together, the decisions cover cultural recognition, civilian honours, investment and local governance. The new national award adds another formal recognition of Bhupen Hazarika’s legacy while providing a recurring platform to honour distinguished contributions in related artistic and cultural fields.
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