Barada Charan Sarma: A tribute

Barada Charan Sarma, former DGP of Assam breathed his last on July 6 at the ripe age of 89, leaving a void amongst his numerous admirers. As an accomplished IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, he had served as the DIG (CID) Assam; Director, BIEO; IG, BSF, North East Frontier, Central Intelligence Bureau, Delhi etc and with his diligence rose through the ranks to become the Director General of Police, Assam, from which position he retired in 1987.  

Born to late Anda Charan Sarma, B.A., L.L.B. and late Gauripriya Devi of the renowned Khatoniar family of Sivasagar in Upper Assam, he started his brilliant academic career with primary education in Sivasagar and later came to Cotton College and then to Presidency College at Kolkata for higher studies. After completing his formal studies, he initially joined the Don Bosco School as a teacher to support himself in the study of law. After completing law, Barada Charan Sarma joined the Assam Civil Service, Class I, in 1952, and later the Indian Police Service in 1953.

Having a flare for writing, he founded ‘The North East Forum’, an English fortnightly tabloid that focused on the issues concerning the North-east region. A collection of the editorials written by him in the tabloid was published as a book titled The Editor’s Editorial.

A thorough gentleman with amiable disposition and an ever-smiling pleasing persolity as he was, Barada Charan Sarma could attract all and sundry who came in contact with him. He was a reservoir of knowledge and a scholar in his own right. His in-depth alyses of current affairs during the days as an editor speak volumes about his knowledge and an objective alytical mind. In later life, however, he turned his focus more to philosophy and spiritualism. Like many others, I too had the good fortune of getting a glimpse of my bordeuta’s vast knowledge and scholarship during numerous conversations over cups of tea.

Barada Charan Sarma leaves behind his wife Banee Sarma, a daughter, two sons and a host of relatives. On this day of his Adya Shraddha, I pray to Almighty that his noble soul may rest in eterl peace.

—Dr Protim Sharma