Mukulika Das Gupta, a leading social worker, a crusader for women rights and pious lady of Tezpur died at her residence at Mahabhairab in Tezpur due to old age ailments.
She was born in Jorhat in the year 1923 and had her education at her home town. She married in the year 1944 with Khirod Kanti Das Gupta, a freedom fighter who was closely connected with freedom struggle wing of Chittagong. It may be mentioned that when marriage proposal came from the father of the bridegroom who disclosed that his son who was arrested twice in connection with the terrorist activities of freedom struggle of India from Chittagong, but even then she agreed to marry, but immediately after marriage, her husband Khirod Kanti Das Gupta was again arrested and detained in Baxar Jail by the British Government. But late Mukulika Das Gupta was never disheartened rather she inspired her husband for more and more dedication for freedom struggle. Whenever she went to meet her husband in different jails, she never broke down and always consoled her husband not to worry for the family but devote for the tion. After release from the jail, when her husband again went underground, at that time, British police constantly harassed her mentally to disclose the whereabouts of her husband, but she never disclosed and faced the mental torture. She was very courageous and patriotic lady.
In the year 1946, her husband was released from jail, she shifted with her husband to Tezpur in the year 1946 and settled at Tezpur. Late Das Gupta was a lady of leftist ideology.
Her husband had a cordial relations with Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Phani Bora and many others. Her husband predeceased here in the year 1969. She guided all the children and established them in the field of business. Late Mrs Das Gupta was always in the forefront for the rights of women and if there is any news of injustice to women, she used to raise voice and always inspired the distressed women to be self dependant. She was always helpful to the distressed and needy. She was a recipient of freedom fighter pension on behalf of her late husband. She was a true follower of Swami Vivekanda with the principle of ‘service to man is service to God’, which she used to say the gist of all worship, to be pure and to do good to others. Late Das Gupta was a very kind hearted, sympathetic and helpful lady. She was connected with Mahabhairab Temple, Ram Krish Sevashram, Vivekanda Seva Kendra, Gauriya Math and other socio-cultural organizations in Tezpur.
Her sudden death cast a pall of gloom at Tezpur. She was 92 and survived by four sons, two daughters and grand children.
Today on the occasion of the sraddha ceremony, I pay my homage to her departed soul. May her soul rest in peace.
-Subhash Chandra Biswas