In Loving Memory of our Bhaiti Khura: A Tribute

“Don’t be ashamed to weep; ’tis right to grieve. Tears are only water, and flowers, trees, and fruit cannot grow without water. But there must be sunlight also. A wounded heart will heal in time, and when it does, the memory and love of our lost ones is sealed inside to comfort us.”

Prashanta Kumar Sarma, for us, our Bhaiti Khura was the youngest son of late Akshay Kumar Sarma and late Kamala Devi of Pathsala Town who left for his heavenly abode on 4th of July after battling with cancer for nearly a year leaving behind hundreds of his admirers, friends and relatives in a pall of gloom.

He showed his talent in sports since school days. He completed his Pre-University from Gauhati College staying together with my father and Bipul Khura. Thereafter he decided to come back to pathsala as staying away from Pathsala could not be thought of by him. He obtained his graduation in Arts from Bajali College and went to Amaravati College, Maharashtra for his graduation in physical education. After obtaining graduation from Amaravati he joined Narayanpur Higher Secondary School as Physical Instructor under the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, Government of Assam. Later on he was transferred to Swaheed Akshyendra Talukdar High School of Bamakhata, Pathsala where he served till his last breath.

He was a man of strong social commitments and worked all along for the well being of the society at large. He was a born leader and organiser under whose leadership and able guidance many organisations in and around Bajali area have reached the zenith both in terms of performance and reputation.

He was the pioneer in formation of many organisations like the Pathsala Cricket Club, Pathsala Karate Club, Bajali Swimming Training Club to name a few. He was one of the most active members of Udayan Sangha, an organisation of high social structure of Assam. He also served Udayan Sangha as its General Secretary, President and Advisor for several years. At the time of his demise, he was serving as the General Secretary of the Bajali Sports Association and Chief Advisor of the Udayan Sangha which has been carrying out lots of social activities in Bajali. The Udayan Blood Donation Group, is a brainchild of Bhaiti Khura and such innovative act shows the testimony of the fact that his heart and soul was always with the poor and needy.

For his outstanding and selfless contribution to the society he was conferred with “Samaj Bondhu Award” by the Pathsala Press Club in a glittering function held on the 21st of June at the Bajali Higher Secondary Field in the presence of thousands of people.He was also awarded with the “Mohiruh Award” by Nakshatra Club,a widely acclaimed social organisation of Bajali and the “Yuva Prerona Bota” by Assam Jatiyabady Yuva Charta Parishad. He has also been Posthumously awarded with the “Jibonjora Sadhona Award-2020” by Pathsala Rongali Bihu Sonmilonee. The thing that always touched my heart about Bhaiti khura is that even while counting his breaths he was working day and night for the society not thinking about his health.

Since the death of Bhaiti Khura on the 4th of July our Pathsala Residence has been flooded with Hundreds of people from all walks of life and from the length and breath of the State to pay respect to the departed soul and share our grief. The whole family is indebted to all those who had stood by us through this time of mourning.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched. They must be felt with the heart and the best of this man we have felt and will continue to feel. The loss incurred by our family is irreparable but it won’t be wrong to say that Bhaiti Khura’s demise has created a vacuum in the society which may never be filled in. On this day of his “Adyashradha” we pray to the Almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul.

– TRISITA PARASHAR