Two-time MLA and Assam Agitation activist passes away

MANGALDAI, Oct 30: Former two-time AGP legislator from Borsola LAC in Sonitpur district, Prafulla Goswami, who was also a former chairman of Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board, a prominent activist of the Assam Agitation, one of the founders of the Jatiyatabadi Dal in undivided district of Darrang and Sonitpur, a former teacher of repute, a footballer and a popular folk artiste, passed away on Sunday  at his Dhekiajuli-Jangalpara residence following prolonged illness. He was 81.

Born to the family of eminent freedom fighter and Xatradhikar of Murari Xatra, rendra th Goswami and Bimala Devi of Rangamati, Bihaguri in Sonitpur district as their fifth son in 1936,  Prafulla Goswami completed his higher education from St Anthony’s College in Shillong and Darrang College in Tezpur. After graduation he joined Bihaguri High School as teacher and then Jugal High School as the founder headmaster.

Being highly attracted to serve the society through active politics, he joined politics and was elected as the Gaon Panchayat president and also as the member of Tezpur Mahkuma Parishad. He had contested as an independent candidate for Tezpur LAC in 1972 and then Borchala LAC in 1977 without success. He was first elected to the State Assembly from Borchala in 1985 as an AGP candidate, however, he lost in the next election in 1991. In 1996 he was re-elected as the MLA from the same constituency but following the split in the AGP, he was defeated in the 2001 assembly poll.

He also served as the chairman of the Assam Khadi and Village Industries Board for two separate terms and also as the member of the Assembly Library Committee. Besides, he headed the all-party Assembly Committee formed to inquire into the LoC scam and shouldered his responsibility well. He was an active worker of the Assam Agitation and was arrested by police several times. He also earned the membership in the central executive body of AGP.

During his young age he was a good footballer and represented the Bihaguri Sports Association and Gigantic Football Club in Tezpur district football league championship as a regular player for several years. He earned the distinction of a popular folk artiste, particularly as a very skillful and energetic Bihu dancer, as well as an actor in ankiya bhao, mostly playing the lead role of Sri Krish. He leaves behind his wife Padumi Devi, son Ranjit, daughters Krish, Kaveri and Juri, along with a host of relatives and well wishers.

His death has widely been mourned in entire Sonitpur district. Members of many local public organizations and prominent individuals including MLAs from  Tezpur and Borchala LACs, Brindaban Goswami and Ganesh Limbu respectively offered their last tribute to the departed soul and also attended  the funeral.

Meanwhile, the Sadou Asom Ex-MLAs’ Sanmilani has expressed deep sorrow and grief at the demise of Prafulla Goswami. In a statement issued here by Dr gendra th Sharma, the president of the State Ex MLAs’ body, he called Goswami as one of the very honest and committed pro-people public representatives in the history of the State Assembly and considered his demise as an irreparable loss to the State politics as well as to the Assamese society. He also prayed for the eterl peace of the departed soul and conveyed his condolence to his bereaved family members.

Former president of All Darrang District Students’ Union (undivided) Bhargab Kumar Das and former AASU activists Hiren Kumar Saharia and Dipak Bordoloi (Dizoo) also deeply mourned his demise and offered condolence to the bereaved family members.