[Assam] Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the unifying force....

[Mohan R. Palleti]

During the early 70's when there was a big riot in Assam (bhakha andolan I
think....), there was a large group of students marching towards the
Bengali Library in Jorhat to set fire to it. At this crucial moment, Dr.
Bhupen Hazarika came in a ambassador car and stooped the march by singing
a song to the students. Then he told them that he would sing more songs if
they would give up the march and come to the Jorhat District library. This
incident was narrated to me by my late father several times during his
life time......I have often listened to this incident with awe...

Here is a person who is a responsible person. He is a unifying factor
among the people of Assam. His songs have words that have been woven from
different tribal languages of the Northeast. His songs have evoked the
feeling of nationalism amongst all.

Unfortunately Dr. Hazarika has stopped writing songs of those kinds
anymore. He is more inolved with translating his songs in other
languages....

I feel sorry that we don't have anybody else of his material today. I
genuinely feel sorry that we have more divisive forces that talks of
separatism. The net is a very powerful tool, and we must use it with a lot
of responsibility. It would be nice if there are no personal vendetta's in
this forum.

To those of you, who have been writing against these divisive minds and
have been sent greetings on our Independence day. I feel proud of you....

Mohan R. Palleti