Guwahati, Feb 9: The Grand Finale of Sur Sangam – Tea Garden Student Talent Hunt, a state-wide music talent hunt and mentorship initiative for students from tea garden communities, will be held on February 10 in Guwahati at the Sri Sri Damodardev International Auditorium, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.
The initiative is being implemented by the The Hans Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Secondary Education, Government of Assam, reaffirming a shared commitment to holistic education and creative empowerment among tea garden communities.
The Grand Finale will be graced by Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Hon’ble Minister of Education, Government of Assam, as the Chief Guest, while renowned Indian playback singer and Padma Shri awardee Suresh Wadkar will attend as the Guest of Honour. Wadkar will also offer advanced mentorship to the top five winners at his music academy in Mumbai.
Sur Sangam – Tea Garden Student Talent Hunt was rolled out across 54 Model Schools located in tea garden belts of Sonitpur, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts under The Hans Foundation’s Uttam Xikhya programme, which focuses on improving access, quality and outcomes of education for tea tribe children. The programme currently supports 54 Model Schools and is slated to expand to 101 schools by April this year.
The initiative follows a review meeting chaired by Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma earlier last year, which emphasised the need for structured co-curricular and vocational activities, including music education, to ensure the all-round development of students from tea garden communities.
Acting on this guidance, formal music education programmes were introduced across all participating Model Schools, with dedicated music teachers appointed at each institution. Over the past several months, more than 14,000 tea tribe students have actively participated in weekly, bi-weekly and tri-weekly music classes conducted across these schools.
The talent hunt progressed through three audition rounds held in Sonitpur, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh, followed by a Pre-State Round in Dibrugarh. After multiple levels of evaluation, 16 students were selected for the Grand Finale.
The finalists are presently in Guwahati, undergoing intensive grooming and practice sessions under expert guidance, as part of a structured mentorship process designed to prepare them for the final performance. As part of this preparation, the finalists are being mentored by noted musician Anita Borthakur, with regular jam sessions and collaborative rehearsals helping the young performers refine their technique, stage presence and musical expression ahead of the Grand Finale.
Adding a special dimension to the preparations, celebrity hair stylist Raju Reyaz has extended his support to Sur Sangam – Tea Garden Student Talent Hunt by offering free hair styling and makeup services to all finalists ahead of the Grand Finale.
“This initiative by The Hans Foundation is truly inspiring. These young performers carry immense talent and confidence, and it is important they feel their best when they step onto such a prestigious stage. I am honoured to support them as they prepare for what could be a defining moment in their lives,” Reyaz said.
The top five winners of Sur Sangam – Tea Garden Student Talent Hunt will receive education scholarships up to the post-graduation level, along with advanced mentorship at Suresh Wadkar’s Ajivasan Music Academy in Mumbai, in addition to other awards and recognitions.
Speaking on the initiative, Jurismita Puzari, Program Manager – North East, The Hans Foundation, said, “At The Hans Foundation, we believe education must go beyond academics to truly empower children. Music builds confidence, discipline and self-expression, especially for children from marginalised communities. Sur Sangam reflects our effort to create equal platforms for talent and aspiration, ensuring that children from tea garden communities are seen, heard and supported.”
Earlier, Mamta Hojai, Director of Secondary Education, Government of Assam, had highlighted that the integration of co-curricular activities such as music into Model Schools aligns with the state’s vision of inclusive and holistic education.
Through Sur Sangam, the Government of Assam and The Hans Foundation continue to demonstrate a shared commitment to inclusive, quality education, using arts and culture as powerful tools to nurture confidence, creativity and future opportunities for children from tea garden communities across the state.