Assam: Guwahati citizens celebrate Zubeen Garg’s birthday as ‘Tree Day’
Guwahati: The Concerned Citizens of Guwahati (CCG), an environmental collective, observed the birthday of Assam’s beloved singer Zubeen Garg on Tuesday as ‘Tree Day’ with plantation drives across the city.
As part of the Tree Day programme, saplings of various tree species, including the Nahar tree, were planted at several locations: inside Dighalipukhuri, the TC Girls’ HS School campus, and the Hedayetpur LP School playground.
The initiative was formally launched at Dighalipukhuri by renowned scholar Dr. Hiren Gohain.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Gohain paid tribute to the late singer and explained the philosophy behind the observance.
“I am happy to participate in this tree plantation program, organized by the Concerned Citizens of Guwahati on Zubeen Garg’s birthday, in his sweet memory,” Dr. Gohain said.
He emphasized Zubeen Garg's deep understanding of nature: “Zubeen Garg realized that human beings are sons and daughters of nature. Every wildlife—including the elephant, tiger, snake, frog, and rhino—are children of nature. Unfortunately, some people forget this in the name of development.”
Dr. Gohain warned of the consequences of environmental degradation: “Due to the deterioration of nature’s two invaluable elements—air and water—wildlife is facing a crisis. If air and water were to become extinct, life would be completely destroyed from the world. We have celebrated this day as Tree Day to spread this crucial message.”
He further criticized destructive development forces: “We want to point out to those forces who are knowingly or unknowingly destroying our environment that we cannot survive going against nature. Those who are becoming lunatic in the name of development don’t need nature and wildlife; they need only money. Just to acquire money, they are undertaking various infrastructure projects like four-lane and six-lane highways.”
Several notable members of the group and other concerned citizens participated in the event, including political scientist Apurba Kr. Baruah, educationist Indranee Dutta, historian Manorama Sarma, writers Rani Gohain and Jayashree Bora, journalist Mahesh Deka, social activist Allen Brooks, Rabindra Nath Dutta, activists Sangeeta Das, Pooja Nirala, and Jayanta Gogoi, journalists Kukil Sakia and Anjuman Bharadwaj, and poet Rashmiriya Gogoi.
Cultural Tribute
Earlier on Monday, the CCG organised a cultural evening at Dighalipukhuri to celebrate Zubeen Garg’s creations. The event featured a play titled Jiya Zubeen, along with musical performances where singers rendered Garg’s songs and recited his poems. A documentary titled Beyond the Stage: Zubeen Garg’s Green Symphony, directed by Mahesh Deka, was also screened.
Several speakers reflected on Zubeen’s love for nature and voiced their opposition to tree felling in the Dighalipukhuri area. The soulful renditions of Zubeen’s songs by various singers made the programme lively.