Emotional farewell to Tarun Gogoi

He had immense contributions in bringing peace and progress to Assam: Himanta

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam bade an emotional farewell to its popular, simple, easy-going, ever-smiling and beloved former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, as his final rites were performed with full State honours at the Nabagraha crematorium here on Thursday.

Amid the chanting of hymns, preceded by a gun salute and band played by the Assam Police, the former three-times Chief Minister's mortal remains were consigned to flames by his son GauravGogoi. Besides Chief Minister SarbanandaSonowal, his ministerial colleagues including HimantaBiswaSarma and many other VIPs, among those who attended Gogoi's cremation included his fans, friends, well-wishers, party members and leaders of various political parties.

Member of the Parliament Gaurav — draped in the traditional 'Sellengsador' (a shawl) and wearing a dhoti along with a face mask — lit the pyre after performing the rituals. The deceased's wife, Dolly Gogoi, daughter ChandrimaGogoi, daughter-in- law Elizabeth

Colburn and other family members placed sandalwood on the pyre before it was lit by Gaurav.

The 86-year old TarunGogoi who was also twice Union Minister and six-time LokSabha member, breathed his last at the Gauhati Medical College & Hospital (GMCH) on Monday following a three-months battle with the post COVID-19 complications.

Earlier in the morning, the mortal remains of TarunGogoi were taken to his official residence at Dispur from SrimantaSankardevaKalakshetra.

Before reaching the Nabagraha cremation ground, Gogoi's mortal remains were taken to the church at Rukminigaon, the namghar at Zoo Road, BurahJame Masjid at Ambari, and the Ugratara Temple at Uzanbazar.

Thousands of people followed the vehicle that carried his mortal remains on the city streets. Those who could not join the funeral processions were glued to their television sets to witness the last rites. The city witnessed a bandh-like situation during the morning hours on Thursday.

People from different parts of Assam and other States paid tributes to TarunGogoi at the 'SrimantaSankardevaKalakshetra' where his mortal remains were kept from Tuesday evening to Wednesday. Before the funeral procession started, the footprints of late TarunGogoi were taken by artist DigantaMadhabGoswami to preserve the same for posterity.

After completing the rituals associated with the funeral, GauravGogoi said he was overwhelmed by the love and respect demonstrated by the people of Assam to late TarunGogoi. "Even though I have lost my father, I am happy that his soul will rest in eternal peace due to the love, respect and prayers of the people. The ashes of my father will be taken to his birth place at Titabor in Jorhat and other places of Assam to enable the people to pay their homage," said Gaurav.

Finance, Health & PWD Minister HimantaBiswaSarma told reporters here on Thursday that Gogoi had contributed immensely towards the peace and progress of Assam.

"TarunGogoi had made Assam free from the horror of secret killings, financial doldrums and enabled the State to successfully hoist the National Games. When the controversial IM (DT) Act was repealed by the Supreme Court, TarunGogoi was under the pressure from the Central leadership to file a review petition and introduce similar legislations like the IM (DT). But, he boldly opposed the Central leadership's decision and asserted that his government cannot go against the will of the people of Assam. TarunGogoi also started the process of NRC (National Register of Citizens)," Sarma said.

Sarma pointed out that with the death of TarunGogoi, a political era has come to an end in Assam.

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