Tripura Assembly pays tribute to Asha Bhosle & Ex-Minister Kartik Kanya Debbarma

The Tripura Legislative Assembly devoted its special one-day sitting on Thursday to solemn tributes, remembering two towering figures whose passing has left a deep void in public life and culture — former Minister Kartik Kanya Debbarma and legendary singer Asha Bhosle.

Opening the commemorative session, Speaker Rampada Jamatia informed members of Debbarma’s demise on March 30 while undergoing treatment at the Cancer Hospital in Agartala. She was 72. Born in 1954, Debbarma’s journey from student activism to mainstream politics saw her elected from the Takarjala constituency in 1993. As Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education in the third Left Front government, she championed women’s education, upliftment of marginalized communities, and social awareness campaigns. The House acknowledged her lifelong dedication to public service and extended condolences to her family.

The Assembly then turned to mourn the loss of Asha Bhosle, who passed away in Mumbai on April 12 at the age of 92. Recalling her as the “Empress of Melody,” the Speaker described her voice as one that transcended generations and languages, enriching Indian music in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Punjabi, and beyond. Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Bhosle’s artistry was hailed as timeless, her passing termed an “irreparable loss” to the nation’s cultural heritage.

Members observed a two-minute silence in memory of both Debbarma and Bhosle, praying for eternal peace of their departed souls. The session reflected not only grief but also admiration for two lives that left indelible marks — one in politics and social service, the other in music and cultural legacy.