A tribute to retired employee of Assam Government Dwijendra Nath Sarma

Dwijendra Nath Sarma, a retired employee of Assam Government, Social worker, Cultural activist and resident of Jyoti Nagar died at his residence on September 4 due to old age ailments. He was 87. He leaves behind four sons, four daughters and host of relatives.

He was born in Piplibari village under Nalbari district on January 24, 1934. His father, Ustad Late Srikanta Sarma, was a veteran artist of the Jatra Party and mother was Late Bhagirathi Devi. He was the second son amongst four sons and three daughters of the family. He came to Guwahati at the age of 10 years and began to stay with his elder sister and brother in-law (Late Niropama Devi and Late Dharmakanta Sarma) at Panbazar Gopal Road. He completed schooling in Kamrup Academy School and later on studied in B. Borooah College. Later on he was appointed in District Library, Guwahati under Directorate Library Assam services and took retirement in 1995. In 1973/74 he took active part in bringing the part of the Library from Shillong to establish in Guwahati. At that time State capital of Assam shifted to Dispur, Guwahati from Shillong.

In the early 60's he began to reside in Jyotinagar. Earlier, the area was known as Green valley and the name was changed to Jyotinagar by him with some other persons. He along with some prominent residents of Jyotinagar worked hard for the establishment of Jyotinagar L.P School, Pub-Guwahati High School, and Guwahati College. He was also deeply associated with Bamunimaidam Sarvajanin Durga Puja Sammitee, Jyotinagar Unnayan Sammitee, Jyotinagar Kali Mandir Sammitee, Jyotinagar Sangha, Maa Manasha Mandir, Jyotinagar Sahitya Sabha etc. He was the witness when the Industrial Estate, Bamunimaidam was inaugurated in the year 1958 by then Chief Minister of Assam Bimala Prasad Chaliha. In 1968, Sarmah met along with some other prominent persons Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, then Cabinet Minister for establishment of Jyoti Nagar LP School & Pub Guwahati High School. In 1970 then Chief Minister Mahanedra Mohan accorded the land for the schools.

He was kind hearted; amiable and religious person. He was also renowned actor. He acted in the T.V serial "Pratima" of Guwahati Doordarshan Kendra. Once he acted in a drama named "Amrit Sandhan" in the district Library Auditorium; he made all the audiences cry by his acting.

In February 28 of 1968 he married Late Uttara Devi of village Baruajani near Guwahati. Although he became depressed after the death of his wife in 9th March 2017, he was the inspiration for many. He left beside him four sons, one of them Kulen Sarmah, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur and another one Nirmal Sarmah, Advocate, Gauhati High Court and four daughter in-laws, grandsons and granddaughters and many more relatives and well wishers.

As soon as the news of his death spread on 04th September 2020, Friday at 08:30 am, all the shopkeepers in the locality closed their shops and paid tribute to him. The funeral was performed at the public crematorium at Nabagraha in Guwahati on Friday evening in the presence of large number of relatives and well wishers.

Various well wishers, prominent citizens and organizations paid their tribute and condolences to the bereaved family.

Ritubaran Sarma, Vice Chairman, AMTRON; Brindabon Goswami, MLA, Tezpur; Padma Hazarika, MLA, Sootia; Bhaskar Phukan, MD , Tourism Department, Assam; Udayaditya Gogoi, Secretary, Assam Civil Service Association; Diganta Baishya for Sonitpur District Administration; Manvendra Pratap Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Sonitpur; Samiran Bora, Joint Secretary, Tea Tribe Welfare Department Assam; Monin Ch. Barua, Secretary, Mahavairab Mandir, Tezpur among others.

It was seen that every Monday he offered Puja at Sukreswar Devalaya at Panbazar with his wife. He is no longer with us but his love, inspiration, discipline, cleanliness encouragement, positiveness , guidance and spirit will be our motivator forever.

On the day of his Aadhyashardha on September 14, we will fondly remember him and pray to almighty for eternal peace of his departed noble soul.

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– Kulen Sarmah and Rumi Sarmah