Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 8 (ANI): Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday paid tributes to singer, composer and filmmaker Bhupen Hazarika on his 96th birth anniversary at the Samadhi Kshetra in Guwahati's Jalukbari.

New Delhi [India], September 8 (ANI): On the occasion of the 96th birth anniversary of singer, composer and filmmaker Bhupen Hazarika, search engine Google paid a heartfelt tribute to him via a creative doodle.

Guwahati Jan 30 PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the efforts of the people and the government of Assam in bringing down rhino poaching cases from 37 in 2013 to one in 2021When there is a sincere effort work is done with a noble intention results also follow he said in his monthly radio programme Mann ki BaatResponding to the appreciation from Modi Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said his government is firm in ensuring that the menace of poaching of the iconic one-horned rhinoceros is eliminatedThe chief of the states anti-poaching squad and special DGP GP Singh also reiterated the resolve for stopping poaching altogetherDuring the programme the prime minister spoke of the poaching threat the one-horned rhinos of Assam had been facing over the yearsTo tackle this challenge a huge campaign against the poaching of rhinoceros was launched in the last seven years with the special efforts of the Assam government he saidModi said more than 2400 horns seized from smugglers were burnt on September 22 last year on the occasion of World Rhino DayThis was a stern message to the poachers The result of such efforts is that now there is a steady decrease in the hunting of rhinos in Assam the PM saidThe number of rhinos killed was 37 in 2013 which decreased to two in 2020 and one in 2021 he said adding I appreciate the resolve of the people of Assam to save the rhinoceros Modi also said Assam is synonymous with tea plantations and national parks along with the one-horned rhinoceros and this pachyderm has always been a part of Assamese cultureThe BJP had first come to power in the state in 2016 with incumbent Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal leading the government then The saffron-party led coalition retained power for a second consecutive term in 2021 state polls with Sarma taking over the reinsThanking the prime minister in a series of Tweets for acknowledging the anti-poaching activities Sarma wrote Were immensely motivated by Hon PM Sri narendramodis recognition of our efforts on single-horned Rhino conservation GoA with support of people shall ensure that menace of poaching of our precious icon is completely eliminated Guidance of Adarniya PM is precious he addedStating that this Mann Ki Baat episode is special for Assam Sarma said the PM did not only acknowledge the role of people in anti-poaching efforts but also made us nostalgic by playing the Kaziranga song of Bhupen Hazarika who is a perennial inspiration for Assam Shows PMs love for us Modis radio broadcast had included a part of late Hazarikas song in Assamese language with the prime minister later explaining the lyrics to his listenersthe meaning of this song is very relevant This song says the lush green surroundings of Kaziranga the abode of elephants and tigers the Earth watches one horned rhinoceros and listens to the melodious chirping of birds The images of the rhinoceros are also seen in the Moonga and Eri dresses woven on the world famous handlooms of Assam Modi saidAssam Special DGP and Anti-Rhino Poaching Task Force Chief GP Singh also expressed his gratitude on Twitter to the prime minister for recognizing their effortsIts a moment of pride for assampolice and assamforest that Hon PMOIndia has recognised our joint effort he saidAs the chief of the anti-poaching task force Singh complimented each man and woman for the stupendous effort Though the poaching cases have come down significantly the first suspected case of this year came to light on January 20 when the carcass of an adult female rhino with its horn missing was found inside the Kaziranga National Park PTI SSG NN NN