A tribute to DN Barua

''Age is just a number". We have all come across this phrase in our life. But this phrase personified D N Barua in it's true sense. A charismatic person at 98, had never let his age be a bump in his journey, achieving his goals as well as leading and inspiring many throughout. He passed away on May 16.

A person who crossed paths with this personality is bound to fall short of adjectives describing him. I have been one of the fortunate enough to have been inspired by his zeal. I don't have any exceptional stories to share but my short encounter with him has left a lasting impression.

At this point of life when we are still searching for a meaning in life cribbing over trivial matters and struggling over mundane stuffs, D N Barua was brainstorming over founding new companies and taking up new ventures to lead the society at his age.

Digendra Nath Barua was the first chemical engineer of the northeastern region starting his career with Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation, Namrup and later led Assam Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) Ltd. as the Managing Director. He had played a significant role in setting up of the Federation of Industries of North Eastern Region (FINER), the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi), Assam Petrochemicals Ltd. (APL) and the Cachar Sugar Mill.

Retirement was just a term in his life's dictionary. When people at 60 plan for their vacation and social security for a leisurely time with family; D N Barua was just getting started with setting up of the Guwahati Stock Exchange. He dedicated himself as a Rotarian being the past President of the Rotary Club of Guwahati South. He was also a member of the Senior Engineers' Forum Guwahati (northeastern region). Further, Guwahati Management Association is still recognized as his nurtured child being the founder President getting all great minds under one banner working towards development of the society. All thanks to him that I am a proud member of the association.

Anyone who have met this very "young old man" as fondly addressed by his counterparts, will always find him elegantly dressed in his crisp suit never missing out on his neck ties hopping from one organization to the other attending meetings and encouraging everyone. Ofcourse he had a very busy schedule being a founder Director or nominee Director to quite a few number of companies.

This isn't a very usual sight when we find the son of the soil with his unstinted efforts contributing his share till his last breath. Maybe now is the time when we can say that he has truly retired. This void can never be filled for sure but he did play his innings pretty well. Century or not doesn't matter. All I can do today is pray for his soul's eternal peace while sincerely hoping that his good deeds keep inspiring us all in future as much as his presence did. A very apt saying by Ernest Hemingway comes to my mind that- "Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another".

 Sangeeta Deka,

Member of Guwahati Management Association