New Delhi: The Assam government on Saturday declared state mourning from September 20 to 22 for celebrated singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg who died in Singapore on Friday, while swimming without wearing a jacket.
“The Government of Assam expresses deep shock and sorrow at the passing of Shri Zubeen Garg, eminent singer, filmmaker and cultural icon. State mourning has been declared from 20th to 22nd September. During this period, there will be no official entertainment, dinners, or ceremonial functions,” Assam’s chief secretary Ravi Kota posted on X.
The chief secretary added that ongoing ‘Seva Saptah’ programmes involving ceremonial events or distribution of benefits have been postponed as a mark of respect. “However, service-oriented activities such as health camps, Nikshay Mitra support for TB patients, and plantation will continue,” Kota added.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will himself be flying to Delhi to receive singer’s body and accompany the mortal remains 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 him back to Guwahati, hopefully by 6 am,” Biswa Sarma posted on X.
Once Zubeen’s body arrives in Guwahati, his mortal remains will first be taken to his residence and thereafter to the Sarusajai Indoor Stadium for the public to pay their last respects. Special seating arrangements have been made inside the stadium for Zubeen’s close family members and relatives.
Alternative arrangements have been made in case of heavy rainfall, The Assam Tribute reported.
Zubeen’s octogenarian father Mohini Mohan Borthakur, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, and the rest of the family await the arrival of his body from Singapore.
Zubeen’s widow put up a calm and brave front as she received mourners and well-wishers at their Kahilipara residence, reported PTI.
“Dada (Zubeen’s father) has Alzheimer’s disease. He is also a diabetic patient, and there was a spike in his blood sugar level yesterday after he received the news. But he is under control now,” Zubeen’s uncle Manoj Kumar Borthakur, was quoted as saying.
The 52-year-old Zubeen had travelled to Singapore to attend the North East India Festival. According to Biswa Sarma, he died while “swimming in the sea without a life jacket” during a yacht trip with 17 others.
