Zubeen Garg's remains en-route from Singapore amid national mourning

Guwahati: In a somber update that has deepened the shockwave across Assam, the mortal remains of beloved singer Zubeen Garg are airborne from Singapore, set to touch down in New Delhi just before midnight.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the development on Saturday evening, underscoring the state's resolve to honor its cultural icon with utmost dignity.

Garg, 52, tragically passed away on Friday afternoon during a scuba diving excursion at Lazarus Island, Singapore, where he was slated to perform at the North East India Festival.

Eyewitnesses reported breathing complications leading to a seizure; he was rushed to Singapore General Hospital but succumbed despite ICU efforts. An autopsy confirmed the cause, linked to possible underlying cardiac issues exacerbated by the dive, experts noted.

"Assam has lost its heartbeat," Sarma posted on X, revealing plans to personally receive the body in Delhi and escort it via air ambulance to Guwahati by dawn Sunday.

The state has declared September 20-22 as mourning days, suspending all official festivities for Garg's last rites. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposition leaders echoed condolences, praising Garg's soul-stirring voice in hits like "Ya Ali."

Fans thronged his Kahilipara residence, where wife Garima and ailing father received well-wishers amid quiet resolve. From Assamese folk anthems to Bollywood crossovers, Garg's three-decade legacy spanning music, film, and activism leaves an indelible void. Tributes poured in from peers like Papon and Jubin Nautiyal, vowing his melodies will endure.

As the flight charts its poignant course, Assam braces for a farewell befitting a son who united hearts.