Why I propose a brand new popular trust to safeguard and propagate
Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's Legacy
Dear Fans and Followers of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika,
End of December 2011 the following draft proposal for a new trust for my
father's legacy was presented to the Govt. of Assam. Since my departure
from Assam on November 26th I had been in touch with my family and
associates drafting the same proposal, the gist of which I am now making
public. While work in the field proceeds unabated, still absent is a
universally accepted trust for Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
*This public statement
is not a tool to pressurize anyone, including the Govt. of Assam, to accept
my idea; I am releasing this due to the requests and demands of a number of
people in Assam who are evidently concerned about the legacy of Bhupenda.*
Cremating my father was a profound blessing. Like his song, I find myself on a confluence of oceans. I feel accepted even as something is expected of me. I opt to honor the motherland through my service. After all I was born in India and for the knowledge of all who do not know, I have been working here through various foundations for many years now. So I regret any disturbance I may have caused people while they grieved. However when I made my views public, I was only reflecting the public's perception and concern about the representation. It surfaced questions and triggered a necessary forum for previously repressed feelings and positions. Honesty and transparency should be key elements supporting his legacy. I have my personal history with my father, my mother, his siblings, and his partner. I had no choice but to make known my deep reservations and to announce the formation of a new popular trust.
We project a transparent and democratic organization amenable to flexibility, longevity and success. It is to operate as a partnership between the Government of Assam, higher educational institutions, representatives of cultural and civic groups, leaders of ethnic minorities, the private sector and siblings of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. Outlined is a list of objectives to be fulfilled by working committees. Our structure can be a turning wheel or a galaxy, take your pick. Whatever the hard realities, the work must go on. We need your expertise to build this ship.
The GOA should be an important partner and guardian of the trust. Our popularly grounded umbrella organization should represent, enhance and publicize the legacy with all parties working towards the same goal. If each of us puts our heart into making it happen, it can be a reality. I pledge my diligence, to help build a stable trust out of the willing and convinced members, advisors, specialists working harmoniously. Cultivating new alliances in Assam and the North East we will coordinate projects with communities in North America from New York.
Honorable elders, protectors, guardians, ministers, chairmen, secretaries, treasurers and record keepers of all denominations, this is a call to rally around a plan, not around me. I am proposing it on behalf of its core supporters. More information will flow in the days ahead. Please consider the pros and cons given the choices. I am soliciting your valuable advice and endorsement of what I believe to be our mutual cause, path and goal. It will require hard work, funding from the private sector as well as the government. But most of all your input and support is crucial for making it a reality. In anticipation of this foundation, some people have started pledging their monetary and other forms of support to jump start our operation. Your help in any specific capacity will be needed. Let us know how you can help. Meanwhile please share this plan with everyone.
Let us realize the Sudhakontho's vision for humanity together.
This is the right time to forge a worthy vessel for Dr. Bhupen Hazarika's
Legacy.
Yours for Assam,
Tej Hazarika
New York
Note : The Document can be viewed by clicking this Link
