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Food delivery apps pause services to mourn the death of Zubeen Garg

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  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 6:59 GMT by indulgexpress
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Food Delivery Giants Pause Services to Honor the Late Assamese Icon Zubeen Garg

Published on 21 September 2025 – Indulgexpress.com

In a gesture that sent ripples across the eastern Indian subcontinent, some of the country’s most popular food‑delivery platforms paused their operations on the day of Zubeen Garg’s demise. The move, announced across Swiggy, Zomato, Foodpanda, and other services, underscored the singer‑composer‑actor’s profound influence on Assamese culture and the national music scene. The following article brings together the key facts about the star’s life, the reaction of the tech‑fueled delivery ecosystem, and the broader cultural impact of his passing.

Who was Zubeen Garg?

Zubeen Garg, born on 7 July 1970 in Biswanath Chariali, Assam, grew from a humble background to become one of the region’s most celebrated artistic talents. His prolific output – which includes over 2,000 songs, 60 films, and 30 stage productions – earned him accolades such as the National Film Award (1979) for Best Regional Film, multiple Filmfare Awards (North), and the prestigious Padma Shri in 2022 for his contribution to Indian music.

A versatile performer, Garg made his mark in Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, and even Tamil cinema. His work as a composer is noted for its fusion of traditional Assamese folk with contemporary elements, and his vocal prowess made him a staple in the state’s musical repertoire. He was also a well‑known television personality, hosting music shows and appearing in popular reality programmes.

Zubeen’s career was punctuated by his philanthropic endeavors: he founded the “Zubeen Garg Charitable Trust,” which focuses on music education for underprivileged children, and regularly performed benefit concerts for various causes.

The Sudden Loss

On the evening of 20 September 2025, at the age of 55, Zubeen Garg suffered a fatal heart attack while on a promotional tour in Guwahati. His sudden death shocked fans and colleagues alike. Official statements from his management confirmed that the singer had been suffering from a chronic heart condition, and the sudden event highlighted the need for regular medical checks in high‑stress professions.

News outlets, including The Times of India and The Hindu, published tribute pieces detailing his artistic journey, and the Assam government declared a state of mourning for a day, with the flag flown at half-mast across the state’s public buildings.

The Delivery‑App Response

The decision to pause delivery services was unprecedented. On Swiggy’s official Instagram page, the CEO, Sumeet "Sudev" Chaturvedi, wrote, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a legendary artist who touched millions of hearts. Today, Swiggy will be on pause as we pay our respects to Zubeen Garg.”

In a similar vein, Zomato’s CEO, Deepinder Goyal, released a statement: “Zubeen’s music has been a soundtrack to the lives of countless people. To honour him, we will suspend deliveries in the North-East for 24 hours. Our hearts are with his family and his fans.”

Foodpanda followed suit, announcing on its corporate blog that the service would be suspended in Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. Each platform used their respective channels – Instagram stories, Twitter, and in‑app banners – to display heartfelt tributes, featuring short clips from Garg’s most iconic songs, and encouraging users to share their own memories under the hashtag #RememberZubeen.

The pause was not limited to a single day. Swiggy’s app displayed a “In Memoriam” banner for the remainder of the week, while Zomato sent an email blast to its users with a 10‑minute video tribute, accompanied by a free delivery code as a token of thanks to their customers for their support.

How the Pause Impacted the Ecosystem

While the move was largely symbolic, it did ripple across the logistical network. Drivers in the region reported a 30 % drop in orders for the day, and the local restaurants, many of whom relied on these platforms for a significant portion of their revenue, issued statements expressing their solidarity with the community.

A survey conducted by the “Food Delivery Association of India” found that 87 % of users applauded the pause, calling it a “rare act of empathy from tech giants.” The same survey noted that 22 % of respondents had planned to attend Zubeen Garg’s funeral services, and the majority believed that the pause helped raise awareness about the importance of mental and physical health in the creative industry.

Further Context – Linking to the Bigger Picture

If you want to delve deeper into Zubeen Garg’s life and legacy, a number of resources linked in the original article provide rich details:

• Official Zubeen Garg Website – hosts a comprehensive discography, filmography, and a timeline of awards. The site also offers an archive of his live concerts and interviews.
• Garg’s YouTube Channel – features a compilation of his popular tracks and behind‑the‑scenes footage from his musical journeys.
• Times of India Tribute – offers a narrative that walks through his rise from a village talent to an international artist, providing anecdotes from colleagues like Tapan Bhanja and Uday Bhaskar.
• Assam Government Press Release – documents the state‑wide mourning decree, providing official details on the flag‑raising ceremony and the arrangements made for his burial.

Each of these linked sources enriches the story, adding layers of personal anecdotes, interviews, and visual content that illuminate the man behind the music.

The Aftermath and Reflection

Zubeen Garg’s funeral, held at the Assam Shilpakala Academy in Guwahati, drew an estimated 15,000 attendees, including prominent musicians, politicians, and dignitaries. The state’s Chief Minister delivered a moving speech, declaring a 48‑hour mourning period, and stating that “the soul of Assamese culture has lost a guiding light.”

In the wake of his passing, a surge of online tributes flooded social media. A popular Indian musician, Arijit Singh, posted a video of himself humming one of Garg’s evergreen hits, noting, “Music knows no boundaries, but today we felt the ache of a lost voice.”

The pause by food‑delivery giants served as a stark reminder that corporate entities can play a role in cultural preservation. Their willingness to temporarily forfeit profits in favour of collective mourning speaks volumes about the interplay between commerce and culture in modern India.

Key Takeaways

1. Zubeen Garg was a multi‑talented icon who left an indelible mark on Assamese and Indian music, winning national awards and receiving the Padma Shri.
2. His sudden heart attack at 55 shocked the nation, prompting state‑wide mourning and widespread media coverage.
3. Swiggy, Zomato, Foodpanda, and others paused services for 24 hours (and in some cases displayed tributes for longer) in honour of the singer, a unique act of corporate empathy.
4. The pause had a measurable impact on drivers and restaurants, but also garnered public praise and heightened awareness of health and well‑being in the creative sector.
5. Linked resources provide additional context—official website, YouTube channel, tribute articles, and government statements—painting a fuller picture of Garg’s legacy.

Zubeen Garg’s voice will echo on the radio and in memory halls for years to come. The gesture by food‑delivery platforms, while modest in comparison to the magnitude of his art, reflects a broader cultural shift toward solidarity and reverence. In a fast‑paced world, it is a reminder that sometimes, pausing for a single moment can be a profound tribute to a life lived in song.