Latest news with #BhupenHazarika
The Hindu
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Baahi.xomoy.com streams songs in Assamese, Bodo, Mising and more
Mrinmoy Kumar, the founder of Baahi ( the first Assamese music streaming platform, says the idea of the app came from a longing to listen to Assamese songs while away from home. As a student from Tezpur in Assam, Mrinmoy was pursuing his BTech in Odisha. Some new, some old searches on various streaming platforms did not meet his need. He felt the need for a platform for those who love listening to Assamese music. While he was in Odisha as a student, Mrinmoy did his research and realised that some platforms include popular albums of selected popular artistes. His focus was on building a platform dedicated to Assamese songs, including Assamese folk. Once he returned to his hometown, Tezpur, Mrinmoy started to work on his idea aggressively. He recalls, 'I discussed my idea with some childhood friends. They jumped in immediately, because my thoughts resonated with theirs. Now Krishanu Kashyap and I run it.' Baahi, a unit of Xomoy Innovatives Pvt Ltd was founded to try and plug the following deficits — no dedicated regional content streaming platform, an unavailability of digital content in various Indian languages, and the untapped market for diverse North Eastern music and culture. Baahi currently has Assamese, Bodo, Mising, Karbi, Tiwa, Koch and Rajbonshi music. They are working to include song from states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram. From Borgeet to Rock and from Classics to modern Pop, the platform has something for everyone. The founders say their user-friendly interface and personalised recommendations make it easy for a listener to discover new music and connect with local musicians. Currently they have over 4,00,000 users of the app. 'This apart we have over 2,00,000 unique website visitors every month,' added Mrinmoy. Apart from streaming regional music, the app also caters to original individual music. 'We wanted to be a platform that allowed individual artistes to introduce their music. Several independent artistes go unnoticed for lack of a platform,' says Mrinmoy. The platform was just a thought until the end of 2020. Mrinmoy began working on the app with help from coding videos on YouTube. 'Computer Science was my background in BTech, so it was easy for me to understand. We started approaching record labels to access database of classics from artistes such as Bhupen Hazarika. Most of the old songs are with record labels such as Saregama/HMV. We procure those songs/albums on rental rights. We also noticed that certain songs, especially from classic Assamese movies, were not digitised. We also worked on digitisation of songs. So, while we were developing the app, gathering a database of songs, we were also learning about the industry,' Mrinmoy explains. They function with a 12-member team. The platform lists over 30,000 songs from more 10,000 artist in the above said languages. Some of the most heard and popular artists are Zubeen Garg, Papon, Deeplina Deka, Prabin Borah, Bhupen Hazarika, Dwipen Baruah, Khagen Mahanta, Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam (Assamese songs) etc. Right now the app is freemium model, where users can use the app without paying with ads and limited features. 'But can purchase subscriptions for additional features and ad free experience,' added Mrinmoy. What next? The team also plans on launching of video/audio based podcasts. Their goal is to increase Baahi Original content, host second edition of Baahi Music Fest. 'We are soon going to begin work to introduce movies of NE on rent,' added Mrinmoy.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Assam assembly passes resolution to name Dibrugarh airport after Bhupen Hazarika
GUWAHATI: The Assam assembly on Monday passed a resolution to name the Dibrugarh airport after eminent poet, composer and singer Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika. 'It gives me great joy to share that the Assam assembly has unanimously passed the resolution to rename Dibrugarh airport as Dr Bhupen Hazarika airport. This will be a befitting tribute to the legacy of the Bharat Ratna, whose contributions to Assam and Bharat are unparalleled,' chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X. Sarma told the state assembly, which convened for a special one-day session, that the state government has planned year-long celebrations to mark the birth centenary of Hazarika this year. He said that the celebrations will begin in Guwahati on September 8 and conclude on the same date next year in Delhi. The next phase of the celebrations will be spread across places closely associated with Hazarika's life and his illustrious and long career. It will include events in Arunachal Pradesh, where he was born and spent his early years, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, where he pursued his professional career. The state government will also publish a book chronicling the significant events and contributions of Hazarika's life. 'The book will be translated into 23 Indian languages and distributed to colleges, universities, libraries and institutions across the country. We aim to ensure that the legacy of Bhupen Hazarika reaches every Indian household,' Sarma said. The assembly also passed a resolution congratulating the armed forces and the central government for the success of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan last month.
Mint
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Meet Ankita, Assam's new AI anchor that delivered Cabinet highlights including airport renaming, tea garden worker grant
The future of news broadcasting is rapidly evolving, and Assam has just taken a bold step into it. On Wednesday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled 'Ankita', an AI-powered virtual news anchor, who delivered a detailed report on the latest Cabinet meeting — a first for the state and a striking example of how artificial intelligence is reshaping India's media landscape. The announcement came via a video shared by the Chief Minister on social media platform X, where Ankita, with a lifelike digital persona and fluent Assamese voice, presented updates from the Cabinet proceedings. The AI anchor reported on key developments such as the decision to rename Dibrugarh Airport after cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika, as well as the time grant approval for tea garden workers — all delivered with clarity and poise that mirrored human news presenters. 'Meet Ankita, our AI anchor who brings to you the latest updates on the recent #AssamCabinet meeting. From approving the change of Dibrugarh Airport's name after Bhupen Hazarika to a time grant for tea garden workers, we took a host of decisions for the public,' Sarma wrote while posting the clip. Ankita's debut, however, has triggered a mixed wave of reactions online. Supporters of the move hailed it as a testament to Assam's growing embrace of digital transformation. One user remarked, 'This will be an innovation in developed Assam, not only in the roads and streets but also in the field of science and AI.' However, others expressed concern over the implications of such technology for human employment. 'Should have hired a real person — at least this would have created a job opportunity :)' another user commented, highlighting the ongoing debate around automation and unemployment. With Assam's launch of Ankita, the use of AI in Indian newsrooms continues to gain traction. As the technology becomes more accessible, there is a high possibility of more states and organisations following suit. However, the development is also prompting wider discussions on its potential impact on employment within the media sector. For now, Assam's adoption of an AI news presenter signals a growing push toward tech-driven governance and communication.
The Print
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
Dibrugarh airport to be renamed after Bhupen Hazarika: CM
The council of ministers has also approved the rolling out of Assam Tea Workers' Financial Assistance Scheme, 2025 as a mark of gratitude to the garden employees in the 200th year of the industry, he said. A special one-day assembly session will be organised to pass a resolution in this regard and forward it to the Union government, the chief minister said at a press conference here. Guwahati, May 10 (PTI) The Assam Cabinet on Saturday approved the renaming of the Dibrugarh airport after Bhupen Hazarika to mark his birth centenary this year, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. A one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 will be given to around seven lakh workers as promised in the state budget. The cabinet has also approved the Assam Electronics Components Manufacturing Top-Up Scheme, 2025 which will provide a 60 per cent top-up on the incentive sanctioned by the Government of India under its Electronics components manufacturing scheme, Sarma said. The cabinet has approved the proposal for reduction in the registration fees of Cooperative societies from 1 per cent to 0.5 per cent of the proposed authorised share capital of the cooperative societies. The cabinet also approved the implementation of the Chief Minister's 'Jibon Prerna Scheme' for graduates and research scholars to be rolled out from October 2025, with eligible graduates who are permanent residents of the state and graduates to be given Rs 2,500 per month for a year. Research scholars who are doing research in public universities of Assam and specially-abled research scholars will be provided one-time financial assistance of Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively, he said. The council of ministers also approved the proposal of providing 50 per cent of asmissible house rent allowance to 13,822 muster roll, casual and fixed pay workers. The cabinet has also approved the proposal to extend the 'Apun Ghar' and 'Apun Vahan' scheme to both regular and contractual employees of both state public sector undertakings and the state government. The cabinet has approved the Assam Pumped Storage Power Generation Promotion Policy, 2025, which aims to position Assam as a hub for pumped hydro storage, the CM added. PTI DG DG RG This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Dibrugarh airport to be renamed after Bhupen Hazarika: CM
Guwahati, The Assam Cabinet on Saturday approved the renaming of the Dibrugarh airport after Bhupen Hazarika to mark his birth centenary this year, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. A special one-day assembly session will be organised to pass a resolution in this regard and forward it to the Union government, the chief minister said at a press conference here. The council of ministers has also approved the rolling out of Assam Tea Workers' Financial Assistance Scheme, 2025 as a mark of gratitude to the garden employees in the 200th year of the industry, he said. A one-time financial assistance of ₹5,000 will be given to around seven lakh workers as promised in the state budget. The cabinet has also approved the Assam Electronics Components Manufacturing Top-Up Scheme, 2025 which will provide a 60 per cent top-up on the incentive sanctioned by the Government of India under its Electronics components manufacturing scheme, Sarma said. The cabinet has approved the proposal for reduction in the registration fees of Cooperative societies from 1 per cent to 0.5 per cent of the proposed authorised share capital of the cooperative societies. The cabinet also approved the implementation of the Chief Minister's 'Jibon Prerna Scheme' for graduates and research scholars to be rolled out from October 2025, with eligible graduates who are permanent residents of the state and graduates to be given ₹2,500 per month for a year. Research scholars who are doing research in public universities of Assam and specially-abled research scholars will be provided one-time financial assistance of ₹20,000 and ₹40,000 respectively, he said. The council of ministers also approved the proposal of providing 50 per cent of asmissible house rent allowance to 13,822 muster roll, casual and fixed pay workers. The cabinet has also approved the proposal to extend the 'Apun Ghar' and 'Apun Vahan' scheme to both regular and contractual employees of both state public sector undertakings and the state government. The cabinet has approved the Assam Pumped Storage Power Generation Promotion Policy, 2025, which aims to position Assam as a hub for pumped hydro storage, the CM added.
