Thousands bid tearful adieu to social activist Apul Deka

Thousands bid tearful adieu to social activist Apul Deka

From our Correspondent

MANGALDAI, October 8: Sanjib Kumar Deka, popularly known as Apul, was an active, energetic, dymic and ever -young person even at the age of 58. He became a very familiar me in Darrang and Udalguri districts for his deep involvement in social functions, sports activities, and celebrations while extending a helping hand to the needy. Apul passed away at a private hospital in Guwahati on October 7. He was suffering from acute illness since the last couple of days.

On receiving the news of his demise, the entire Mangaldai town wore a gloomy and deserted look and all the shopkeepers and traders spontaneously put down their shutters. People rushed to his residence at Santipara here in Ward No. 1 to pay their last respects to Apul. A large procession escorted his mortal remains towards the public crematorium at Tengabari of the town and on the way various organizations including Youth Club, Ram Jaki Mandir, PCO Club, his business establishment Bhogjora Hardwares, his paterl restaurant Repose, Mangaldai Satan Dharma Sabha and officials and employees of the Deputy Commissioner's office offered floral tribute.

Born in the family of legendary businessman-cum-industrialist Sunda Ram Deka,  popularly known as SRD, and Sumitra Deka, Apul was the ninth of the 11 children, Apul completed his education from Mangaldai and during his days as student he was attracted to various sports and social activities. Of the prominent contributions towards the society, he shouldered the responsibility to give proper shape to Youth Club as its secretary for 20 years and was the vice-president till his last. He was the founder secretary of Darrang District Badminton Association and founder president of Darrang District Body Building Association. He rendered his service towards the All Assam Body Building Association as the vice-president till his demise. It was under his initiative that Mangaldai hosted the All Assam Boxing Championship and All Assam Body Building Championship several years back.

He was also nomited as the Ward Commissioner from Ward No. 1 of Mangaldai Municipality Board. Showing his deep interest in music, Apul with active support from a group of like-minded youths, formed Rock Hill Musical Group-the first musical group of the district. With a view to encourage and inspire the youths of the district to maintain healthy body with proper fitness, he started the Rock Gym –the first gymsium club in Mangaldai - only to provide the scope and the opportunity to the younger generation. Besides these, he was deeply involved with the All Mangaldai Rongali Bihu Sanmilan, Mangaldai Raxx Mohotsav, Idd Sanmilan and many other organizations. He was also one of the pioneers in setting up of a modern and well equipped Tent house under the familiar me of Bhogjora in Mangaldai. Apul leaves behind his wife Amar Jyoti (Baby), son Rishi, daughter Risha, elder brother Pramod Deka and Mukul Chandra Deka, younger brothers Rajib Deka (Mintu) and Anupam Deka (Jonti).

An unprecedented gathering of more than 2,000 people offered him tearful farewell at the public crematorium at Tengabari as his body was consigned into flames as per traditiol ritual. Minister for Fisheries, Water Resource Basanta Das, former Minister Zoii th Sarma, former legislator Hiren Kumar Das, chairman of Mangaldai Municipality Board Pratap Bordoloi, general secretary of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee Pradyut Bhuyan, Mr. Universe Mahadev Deka,  District Congress Committee president Debabrata Dutta  and other prominent persons also attended the funeral.

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