Agartala, April 30, 2026: During a special one-day session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly on Thursday, members paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary “Empress of Melody,” Asha Bhosle, and former state Minister Kartik Kanya Debbarma.

Speaking at the commemorative session, Assembly Speaker Rampada Jamatia expressed deep grief over the demise of Kartik Kanya Debbarma. He informed the House that the former MLA and Minister passed away on March 30 at around 4:30 PM while undergoing treatment at the Cancer Hospital in Agartala. She was approximately 72 years old.

Highlighting her life and contributions, the Speaker said Debbarma, born in 1954, had been actively involved in social service and leftist movements since her student days. She later entered active politics and was elected to the Assembly from Takarjala constituency in 1993. During the tenure of the state’s third Left Front government, she served as Minister in charge of Social Welfare and Social Education, earning respect for her dedication to the upliftment of underprivileged communities, promotion of women’s education, and social awareness initiatives.

The House paid homage to her memory and extended condolences to her bereaved family, relatives, and admirers.

Later, the Assembly also mourned the passing of iconic singer Asha Bhosle, who died on April 12 at the age of 92 in Mumbai following complications from a chest infection. Remembering her extraordinary legacy, the Speaker described her as a “shining star of the Indian music firmament” whose voice captivated generations.

He noted that Asha Bhosle’s versatile and timeless voice enriched Indian music across multiple languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi. Honoured with prestigious awards such as the Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, her true recognition, he said, lives on in the hearts of millions.

Calling her passing an “irreparable loss” to Indian music, the Speaker said her artistry, creativity, and dedication would continue to inspire generations to come.

The Tripura Legislative Assembly observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls of Kartik Kanya Debbarma and Asha Bhosle.