Death of a 'pigeon lover' condoled in Digboi

DIGBOI : With the sudden demise of a socio-religious personality known for charity works and generosity towards pigeons in greater Digboi area, a vacuum has been created in the minds of the people particularly here in Digboi Charali area.

Kishan Lal Salhotra (84) known for multiple reasons in socio -cultural realms breathed his last here at his residence on late Saturday evening due to old age related ailments. Born in the year 1936 at Mission Para area in Digboi in a humble Sikh family, late Salhotra had the credit discovering the famous Bogapani Dangoriya Baba Sthan (now developed and renovated as Temple) in the year 1964.

Following the unexpected demise of a noble heart, the people from different walks of life cutting across caste, creed and communal discrimination thronged in and expressed a formal mass condolence offering floral tribute to late Salhotra.

"What I appreciate the most in my father's life time was the fact that he was never heard by any family members of criticizing anyone or abusing or hurting anyone in the society," said Shyam Lal Salhotra one of the sons of the deceased. He was althroughout generous towards the people specially on medical grounds, marriage and matrimonial causes," added the son.

"He was such a brave heart whom I never found fearing anyone for right reasons in my entire 54 years," said Salhotra.

Why is late Salhotra widely known in greater Digboi area is his generosity and indivisible attachments towards hundreds of pigeons that he feed thrice a day sitting amidst them with bucket of grains infront of him. "His only work for past a decade was just spending time with religious people and feeding the pigeons," said the grandson of the deceased.

"The pigeon groups occupied a very important part in his daily life and he didn't break a crumb without feeding them, he even talked to the birds sitting in the verandah as if they were reciprocating his love and kindness," said a neighbour of Salhotra's family.

The contributions of late Salhotra have been an open chapter in Digboi area specially exploring and discovering Dangariya Sthan - a holy place where hundreds people visits everyday for its sanctity from various corners of Assam, said Subir Sutradhar an established business of the township.

Meanwhile, a section of commercial establishments including shops and hotels were closed as a mark of tribute at the loss of the resource.

However, the last rites were conducted with all religious rites at Itavata Kalibari Cremation ground in presence of hundreds of well wishers, relatives and family members.

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