Guwahati | Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday donated blood at the BJP headquarters here as part of a statewide drive organised by the party to mark the first death anniversary of singer and artiste Zubeen Garg.

The blood donation programme was held as Assam observed “Zubeen Divas” with tributes, cultural programmes and various service activities in memory of the popular artiste.

Sarma donated blood at Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati and said similar camps had been organised across the state by BJP workers.”Today is the first death anniversary of our beloved Zubeen Garg. The BJP and its workers are observing the day by donating blood,” Sarma said.

Around 3,800 people have registered to donate blood at camps across Assam, while blood had already been collected from around 1,000 donors, the chief minister said.

He thanked BJP workers and state party president Dilip Saikia for organising the initiative. Recalling his association with Garg, Sarma said the singer had a vision for Assam and remained closely connected with its people.

“When he was alive, we had beautiful times with him. He had a vision for Assam, and the people of Assam will always remember him,” he said. Sarma said Garg’s contribution extended beyond music to the cultural and social spheres.

“Whether culturally or socially, we should remember the direction Zubeen Garg showed us. We have to remember him as a person who loved the people of Assam,” the chief minister said. He also said “Zubeen Divas” had emerged as a public observance driven by people rather than being announced by the government.

“The people have made it, and when the people create something, the government follows it,” Sarma said.

Meanwhile, thousands of admirers gathered at Zubeen Kshetra in Kamarkuchi as the three-day “Zubeen Divas” observance entered its final day on Saturday.Garg, who died last year, continues to be remembered across Assam through musical tributes, memorial programmes and community initiatives.