Noted educationist-social activist Deven Dutta no more

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Noted educationist, social activist, and former vice principal of Cotton College, Deven Dutta, passed away at the GMCH (Gauhati Medical College & Hospital) at 12.10 am in the intervening nights of Thursday and Friday. He was 80. He leaves behind a son and a daughter. His last rites were performed at the Nabagraha crematorium in the presence of his admirers.

Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma mourned his death. In a statement, the Governor said, “I am deeply saddened to know of the death of Deven Dutta. As an academician, he was par excellence and contributed immensely to the growth of education in Assam. He was also a good human being, and apart from taking a crucial role in stimulating the intellectually imbued minds of the state, he helped his students become virtuous human beings. His departure is a great loss to the state and country.”

The governor expressed his profound condolences to the bereaved family members and prayed to the Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed soul.

In another statement, the Chief Minister condoled the demise of Deven Dutta. In a condolence message, the Chief Minister said, “I am saddened to hear the passing away of eminent educationist and Professor Shri Deven Dutta. His death, which made an important contribution to the development of language and literature, is really a great loss. It will create a void in our socio-academic lives, and it will really be difficult to fill that void. However, the rich legacy he left behind will continue to be a source of inspiration for posterity.”

The Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed soul. He also expressed his empathy for the bereaved family members.

Born on April 5, 1944, at Nazira to Phanidhar Dutta and Bishnupriya Dutta, he received his matriculation from Nazira High School, an Intermediate in Arts (IA) from Jaysagar College, and a BA with honours in English from Cotton College. He had a brief stint as a teacher at Dergaon High School. He received his Master’s in English from Ramjas College, Delhi, in 1965. He then joined Gargaon College as a teacher and then Cotton College, Guwahati, as a faculty member. He retired from Cotton College as its vice principal in 2002 after rendering service for nearly four decades.

He was admitted to a private nursing home for treatment and then to the GMCH on August 11, 2023, where he breathed his last.

Following an allegation, GMCH Principal-cum-Superintendent AC Baishya constituted a three-member committee to inquire about the delay in providing blood to Deven Dutta from the GMCH blood bank. The members of the committee are Professor and HOD of Microbiology Dr. Ajanta Sarma, Professor of Pathology Dr. Usha Sarma, and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ujjal Kumar Sarma.

Education Minister Ranuj Pegu said that the Health Department would act based on the report of the inquiry committee.

Various parties and organisations, including the Axam Xahitya Xabha, AGP, APCC, AIUDF, BJP, AASU, All Guwahati Students’ Union, TMC, and the AJP, condoled his demise. His admirers visited his Sundarpur residence.

Earlier, his mortal remains were taken to Cotton University on their way to Nabagraha Crematorium.

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