Guwahati: Visitors to the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Kshetra in Guwahati will soon be able to take virtual selfies with the legendary singer, practise singing alongside him and experience immersive digital interactions, as the Assam govt plans to transform the memorial into a technology-driven cultural destination.Announcing the move as part of the celebrations for Hazarika’s birth centenary, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said the memorial, also known as Samannay Tirtha, will be upgraded into a modern, digitally integrated cultural landmark. He said an open-air stage will also be built at the complex.Sarma said the memorial’s design will be slightly modified to better reflect the life and work of the artiste, while modern technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will be introduced to showcase his legacy to younger generations.“Inside the Samadhi Kshetra, we are going to bring some digital factors like people will be able to click selfies with Dr Bhupen Hazarika, practise singing with him and will be able to get the feelings of going on a ride with him in a vehicle. We are going to bring digital effect in the Samadhi Kshetra so that young boys and girls may get familiarised with Dr Bhupen Hazarika as well as science and technology,” Sarma told mediapersons after visiting the Dr Bhupen Hazarika Samannay Kshetra in Jalukbari to pay tribute to the bard of the Brahmaputra.During the visit, the CM reviewed the memorial and held discussions with officials of the cultural affairs department and the public works department on measures to enhance its appeal. He said a govt committee will be constituted to manage the Samannay Kshetra and receive grants-in-aid to organise cultural programmes.Sarma said efforts are on to keep the memorial active throughout the year by hosting discussions on Hazarika’s works and organising cultural events, apart from observing his birth and death anniversaries.
