RIP Zubeen Garg: Assam Government postpones half-yearly exams as a mark of respect

Zubeen Garg, one of the most famous singers of the Northeast died in Singapore today. It seems he was involved in a scuba diving accident where he fell into the sea. Though they rushed him to the hospital’s ICU and doctors did their best, he could not be revived. Zubeen Garg was a cultural icon for the region, and the whole of Assam and Northeast is in mourning. As a mark of respect, all the half-yearly exams have been postponed till his mortal remains get cremated. It will take a couple of days to bring the body down to India, and do the rites. He passed away at the Singapore General Hospital.

Zubeen Garg had gone there for the Northeast Festival. He was very active on the concert scene. Bollywood buffs know him for the song, Ya Ali from Gangster (2006). It was a viral hit at a time when no one knew the term. Assam’s Education Minister Ranoj Pegu has told all Inspectors of Schools to defer the exams. The Saturday papers have been pushed for a later date. It seems some members of the Assamese community who live in Singapore took him for a yacht trip. He was supposed to perform at a business event that had industrialists and policy makers in attendance. The idea was to bring investment to Assam state.

Singapore has around 10 scuba diving spots but they are not in high risk category. The organizers were not aware of his decision to go for the trip. The Indian High Commissioner at Singapore, Shilpak Ambule is doing his best to make sure all formalities are completed at the earliest. PM Narendra Modi, Himanta Biswa Sarma have condoled his death on social media. Pritam, Armaan Malik, Vishal Mishra remembered him with love. At 52, he still had many years of singing left in him.

We extend our condolences to the bereaved family and friends.