PTI file photo
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced three days of state mourning from 20 to 22 September following the death of singer Zubeen Garg. During this period, all official entertainment, public celebrations and ceremonial events will remain suspended. Essential service activities under Sewa Saptah will continue, but benefit distribution and ceremonial programmes have been postponed, the statement read. Zubeen Garg, Assam’s cultural and singer, died on Friday in Singapore after suffering a seizure while swimming at Lazarus Island. He was 52. News of his sudden death has left his fans and the Assamese cultural world in shock and grief. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said he will receive the singer’s body in Delhi and accompany it to Guwahati. “I will be going to Delhi later today to receive our beloved Zubeen’s mortal remains, which will arrive from Singapore. From there, we will immediately bring the body back to Guwahati, hopefully by 6 am on Sunday,” the CM posted on X.In a condolence message earlier, he called Zubeen “more than just a singer” and said his music had the power to unite and inspire people. “Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons. His untimely death has left a void that can never be filled,” he said. Messages of condolence have poured in from across the country as people remember Zubeen’s unique voice and his lasting contribution to Assamese music and culture. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed sorrow, calling the news “shocking.” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi described the loss as “a terrible tragedy.”
