REST IN PEACE

(A tribute to Dr Pranab Baruah,

our dear Pulak Kokaideu)

 

The harsh reality of life occurred all of a sudden,

Thus compelled him to leave the world mundane,

Creating a void amid all and leaving us in pain,

Yet, we still seek for our dear ‘Godfather’ in vain.

 

Not only a worthy son and an affectionate brother,

But also an ideal husband and a loving father,

For the entire family, he stood like a strong pillar,

And his patients looked up to him as a saviour.

 

To lend a helping hand he was always willing,

With a smile on his lips and words encouraging,

Kind at heart, sober and ever charming,

He was an epitome of a good human being.

 

His roof-top garden had orchids plentiful,

And he planted saplings of flowers beautiful,

Hard work paved way for his career successful,

Serving all during adversity was his nature dutiful.

 

Through this tribute, we pray for your journey new,

With myriad fond memories, all of us truly miss you,

Our hearts are full and hence the words are few,

“Rest in peace…” with tears in our eyes, we bid adieu.

 

[Published in the souvenir ‘Ashruxikto Smritir Koroni’ on 29 January 2018]

DEUTA: MY STRENGTH

Deuta’s journey to the heavenly abode on 23 February 2015 at International Hospital, Guwahati due to cardiac arrest, has left a deep void in my life. Departure to another world is a harsh reality but this inevitable fact is really being hard for me to accept.

Deuta was born on 14^th April 1935 to Late Dr.Dharani Kanta Baruah and Late Kusum Kumari Baruah of Madhyam Khanda, North Guwahati. Dr.Ramani Kanta Baruah, as he was known, received education started at Chenikuthi Primary School, Guwahati, followed by Kamrup Academy, Guwahati and Sipajhar High School, Sipajhar. In 1952, he passed matriculation examination from Barpeta Govt. H.E. School and then I.Sc (Intermediate Science) from Cotton College, Guwahati.

After his MBBS degree from Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh, he started his career as Medical Officer at Assam Oil Company in 1963, posted at Digboi. Assam Oil Company was then owned by the British and later it merged with Indian Oil Corporation and a new division was set up known as Assam Oil Division.

He married Tarini, my mother on 23 January 1967. In 1972, he completed DLO (Diploma in Oto Laryngology) from GSVM Medical College, Kanpur. His service continued as Additional Chief Medical Officer (ENT) in IOC (AOD) Hospital, Digboi. He got promoted to become Principal Medical Officer in 1992. After 31 years of service, he retired on 30 November 1994. Since 1995 he has been staying in his residence at Jironi, Ashok Path, Survey, Beltola, Guwahati.

Deuta involved himself in various activities. He was a life member of Indian Medical Association, Indian Red Cross Society, IMA Academy of Medical Specialities, Doctors Guild and also a member of Association of Otolaryngologist of India. As a doctor, he was always compassionate towards his patients.

There shall be short of space if I right down all about him. I always feel fortunate to have him as my father and I believe that it is God’s blessings. Deuta is my strength, my inspiration. His advice, guidance and confidence in me has helped me to step forward in my life.

Deuta loved to play sitar and during his years in college he participated in various competitions and bagged prizes. He taught me to play sitar when I was in class 7. We both performed sitar recitals (duet) in Digboi accompanied by my brothers Dulumoni on table and Janmoni on the harmonium.

There was always a strong attachment between Deuta and me and I knew that he loved me the most. We were like friends and he shared many things with me. Our choices, likes and dislikes were also similar. He always lent a patient ear when I told him about any of my problems. I felt relieved when he showed me the ways how to solve them.

He had a magnetic personality and I specially admired his wonderful art of speaking. Punctuality, discipline and hard work were the keys of his successful career. He performed his duties with great devotion, determination and dedication.

Deuta’s demise is a personal loss to me physically but he shall be omnipresent through his blessings and memories. I offer my sincere prayers for his eternal peace.

 

[Published in the souvenir ‘Xomoy Balir Khujbur’ on 5 March 2015]

FOOTPRINTS

He left his footprints,
For us to trail,
His legacy unparalleled,
‘Mahapurush’ we hail.

Born at Bordowa,
Nurtured by his grandmother,
A child prodigy,
His pilgrimage thereafter.

Founded a new cult,
‘Ek Saran Naam Dharma’,
Preached doctrines of ‘Vaishnavism’,
Set up ‘Namghar’ and ‘Satra’.

Composed devotional songs ‘Borgeet’,
Wrote ‘Bhakti Ratnakar’, ‘Kirtan Ghosha’,
Created one act plays ‘Ankiya-Naat’,
Innovated the dance form ‘Satriya’.

An inspiration for all,
A great humanitarian he was,
Enriched Assamese culture and literature,
Lived for hundred and eighteen years.

He is Srimanta Sankardev,
An outstanding personality ever,
A versatile genius of creativity,
The saint, scholar, and reformer.

[Published in the website ‘iBuzzle’ on 3 January 2014]

REMEMBERING GANDHIJI

Born to our great motherland India,

We regard you as ‘Father of the Nation’.

Your greatness was your simplicity,

Your life was an example of integrity.

You followed the teachings of ‘Gita’,

Kabiguru entitled you ‘Mahatma’.

Gandhiji, we love to call you ‘Bapu’,

We, the nation, pay homage to you.

 

[Published in the website ‘iBuzzle’ on 1 October 2013]

SALUTATIONS TO ‘KALAGURU’

Salutations to you,

O Kalaguru,

Your love for culture,

Your songs about Nature,

Are still on our lips,

As treasure one keeps…

A versatile genius you were,

Your deeds shall never wear,

Your portrait of Sankardeva

And title bestowed for Tandava,

Rabha Sangeet your creations

And Siraj your direction,

Your acting in Era Bator Sur

And Ban Theatre in Tezpur…

An urge to demolish evil from nation,

Your lyrics reflected revolutionary notion,

For the need to uplift Assamese society,

You penned the book Axomiya Kristi…

 

[Published in the souvenir ‘Umrong’ on 20 June 2011]

Short note: This poem is a tribute to Bishnu Prasad Rabha, the great multi-faceted personality of Assam. Born on 31 January 1909, he was an established singer, a composer and a lyricist. His songs are known as ‘Rabha Sangeet’. He was an extremely talented actor, film director, and dancer. He was awarded the title ‘Kalaguru’ by Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan at Varanasi for his mesmerizing ‘Tandava’ dance of Lord Shiva. He also painted portraits of many great saints and penned several books in Assamese. He passed away on 20 June 1960. To commemorate this versatile genius, every year 20th June is celebrated as ‘Bishnu Rabha Divas’ in Assam.

REMEMBERING NETAJI

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose,

Born on twenty-third January,

A great inspiring leader,

The greatest patriot of our country.

He formed the Azad Hind Fauj

Or the Indian National Army,

Left the Congress party,

With difference of opinions

With Gandhiji.

Netaji roused the words –

‘Give me blood and

I will give you freedom’,

Awoke the youth of India,

Instilled into them

The fire of nationalism.

Chalo Dilli and Jai Hind,

Netaji shouted the slogans,

We’ll remember you, Netaji,

Every year always and again.

 

[Published in ‘The Assam Tribune’ on 22 January 2011]

ADIEU

(A Tribute to Late Porag Ch. Bhattacharya)

 

One of the outstanding personalities of this corporation,

His success lied in his devotion, determination,

An able leader, highly committed to his work,

Laid great emphasis on co-operation and team work.

Largely appreciated for his discipline and punctuality,

His talent in cricket and badminton equally praiseworthy.

His large heartedness revealed his inner goodness,

Displaying his pleasing personality and nature of forgiveness.

Departure to another world, a harsh reality indeed,

Praying for his eternal peace, adieu I bid.

 

[Published in the souvenir ‘Reverence’ on 21 February 2010]