Zubeen Nagar has emerged as a new symbol of hope in Amguri, Sivasagar, after 18 flood-hit families received permanent homes following the destruction caused by the Jhanji River floods. The settlement, formerly known as Shantiban in Ward No. 2 of Amguri town, was renamed in honour of late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg and his enduring message of compassion and service.
The newly constructed homes were formally inaugurated on Sunday, August 9, by Garima Saikia Garg, wife of the late singer. The development has given families who had lost their houses a fresh start after spending difficult days without permanent shelter.
Zubeen Nagar gives flood-hit families a permanent home
The 18 families were among those severely affected when the Jhanji River overflowed and washed away their houses. Left without proper shelter, many were forced to live under tarpaulin sheets in challenging conditions.
The plight of the families came to wider attention after Assamese content creator and YouTuber Mr Bitu visited the settlement. According to reports, he had initially set out to help flood-affected people elsewhere but reached Amguri after an e-rickshaw driver, identified as Subhojit, helped transport roofing sheets and informed him about the families in need.
When Bitu reached the area, he found families living under temporary tarpaulin shelters. He said pregnant women and other residents were also enduring the difficult conditions. Moved by what he saw, he decided to take responsibility for building permanent homes for them.
The project later received support from people in different places after a video highlighting the families’ condition gained attention online. Donations reportedly came in the form of money, mattresses and other essential items, helping the initiative move forward.
A project inspired by Zubeen Garg
Bitu has repeatedly attributed the initiative to the influence of Zubeen Garg. Rather than taking personal credit for the project, he said the late singer continued to guide him and inspire his efforts to help people even after his death.
Bitu said that Zubeen had guided him while he was alive and that he continued to feel guided by the singer after his passing. His remarks reflected the deep emotional connection many people in Assam continue to have with the singer’s humanitarian values.
The decision to rename Shantiban as Zubeen Nagar therefore goes beyond a change of address. The name is intended as a tribute to the singer’s compassion and his association with social causes. The settlement has now become closely linked with an act of community support carried out in his memory.
Homes built through community support
The construction effort highlights the role that individual initiatives and public participation can play during natural disasters. For families who had lost their homes, permanent houses offer far more stability than temporary relief.
The project was completed through the efforts of Bitu and his associates, with members of the public contributing after learning about the situation. According to Asomiya Pratidin, construction work was completed in the early hours of Sunday, with the team working through the night to finish the homes.
The new settlement also reflects a broader trend of people seeking ways to preserve Zubeen Garg’s legacy through social and community initiatives. Since his death, several tributes and public initiatives have invoked his name and humanitarian ideals. In July, a road named after the singer was inaugurated in Mangaldai, with officials calling for his music and message of humanity to remain part of community life.
A fresh chapter for Amguri families
For the 18 families, however, the significance of Zubeen Nagar is deeply personal. After losing their homes to the floods, they now have a permanent place to live and rebuild their lives.
The inauguration by Garima Saikia Garg added another emotional dimension to the occasion. Her presence connected the new settlement directly with the memory of Zubeen Garg, whose name now stands at the heart of the community.
The story of Zubeen Nagar also underlines the continuing challenges faced by flood-prone communities in Assam. Seasonal floods frequently destroy homes, livelihoods and infrastructure, leaving vulnerable families dependent on temporary relief. Permanent rehabilitation remains crucial for helping affected residents recover with dignity.
As the families begin life in their new homes, Zubeen Nagar stands as both a recovery effort and a tribute. What began as one content creator’s decision to respond to a local crisis has developed into a community-supported housing initiative carrying the name and values of one of Assam’s most beloved cultural figures.
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