Assam Assembly to Convene Special Session to Rename Dibrugarh Airport After Bhupen Hazarika

The Assam government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has announced a significant move to honor the legacy of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, the legendary musician and cultural icon of Assam. As part of the celebrations marking his birth centenary, the state will hold a one-day special session of the Assam Legislative Assembly on June 9, 2025. The key agenda of this session is to pass a proposal to officially rename the Dibrugarh airport after Bhupen Hazarika.

Chief Minister Sarma took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to share this update with the public. He stated that the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, has exercised the powers vested in him under Article 174(1) of the Constitution of India to summon this one-day special session. The session is scheduled to begin at 9:30 AM on June 9, 2025, at the Assembly Chamber in Dispur. CM Sarma also attached a copy of the official order issued by the Governor along with his post.

This move follows an earlier decision made by the Assam Cabinet to rename the Dibrugarh airport in honor of Bhupen Hazarika, aligning with the centenary celebrations of his birth. The decision reflects the state government's commitment to commemorating Hazarika’s invaluable contributions to Assamese culture, music, literature, and national integration. Hazarika, a recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, remains a beloved figure in Assam and beyond, known for his deep, soulful music and his tireless efforts to bring the voices of the marginalized into the mainstream through art.

The renaming of the Dibrugarh airport, one of the major air travel hubs in upper Assam, is a symbolic gesture of recognizing and preserving the memory of Hazarika for future generations. It is also expected to further instill pride among the people of Assam and promote awareness of his artistic and social contributions.

In addition to the renaming proposal, the Assam Cabinet has also approved the rollout of a new welfare initiative — the Assam Tea Workers’ Financial Assistance Scheme, 2025. This scheme has been introduced to honor and support tea garden workers as the state marks the 200th anniversary of its tea industry. Assam’s tea industry is not only central to the state’s economy but also a crucial part of its identity. The scheme is seen as a gesture of gratitude toward the thousands of tea garden employees who have played a pivotal role in building and sustaining this industry over two centuries.

The two major decisions — renaming the airport and launching the tea workers’ welfare scheme — reflect the Assam government’s focus on preserving cultural heritage and addressing the needs of historically significant communities. These initiatives are part of a broader vision of inclusive development and cultural recognition, blending modern governance with deep-rooted respect for Assam's past and its people.