Bhupen Hazarika
Hazarika moved into this flat as a tenant in 1954, later purchasing the property in stages. Hatkhowa noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Hazarika’s year-long centenary celebrations on Sept 8, 2025. Efforts to secure the residence date back to 2019. “The property was approved for inclusion on KMC Heritage List in Jan 2020 during a meeting of the mayor-in-council members. “Approximately Rs 1.5 crore was allocated for the acquisition and an additional Rs 25 lakh for renovation.
“It’s a two-bedroom flat,” said Hiten Hatkhowa, working president of Kolkata Assamese Cultural Organisation, which co-organised the commemorative event alongside Assam govt. Bhupen-da occupied one bedroom, while the other two shared the second room,” he said. “On Tuesday, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans to acquire this property to establish a permanent memorial, noting that the matter would be taken up with Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari,” he said.
“My father-in-law, Ratna Ojah, was his student. He shared the flat with Bhupen-da’s brother, Jayanta Hazarika. That’s when former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal first broached the topic with Bengal authorities. However, the specific notification or gazette number relating to the heritage listing has not been publicly disclosed. Since the grading process was pending, the final notification may not have been issued at that stage,” Hatkhowa pointed out. However, the registration could not be completed at the time,” Hatkhowa explained, noting that inter-state discussions have resumed under the current administration.
He also added that Assam govt had previously moved to purchase the flat from the current owner.