A Tribute to Bose Kaku

Paying tribute (least of all writing one) to someone close is never easy nor gratifying. But, unfortunately, that's the only option one is left with while trying to come to terms with losing someone close. And that's precisely the position I find myself in now while trying to write on late Bijoy Bose (or Bose Kaku to me) as I knew him.

Former Chief Engineer of Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) - or Assam Power Distribution Corporation Ltd in its latest avatar - Bose Kaku had a towering personality. Born to late Ashit Kumar Bose and late Sovarani Bose at Jorhat in 1948, he was the eldest of four siblings and an alumni of Jorhat Engineering College.

It was at Diphu where I first met him as Executive Engineer of ASEB since he shared a very cordial relation with my late father. He served at Diphu between 1995 and 2001 and later retired as Chief Engineer in 2007. I got to know the loving person that Bose Kaku was when he went out of his way to comfort us as I tried to cope with the tragedy of losing my father all of a sudden in 1997. Subsequently, when my mother passed away in 2008, Bose Kaku was there too by my side along with Kakima (aunty).

Our bond became stronger with time as we used to visit him often at his residence in Guwahati where he had settled post his retirement, before finally shifting to Kolkata. But despite moving out of the city, we used to be in constant touch. Actually, I always found him a pillar of support, especially during trying times and when one needed advice. Hence, the news of his sudden death in November last year at Vadodra came as rude shock. On his first annual shraddh today, I pray for his moksha. Om Shanti!

Anirban Choudhury

Also Read: A Tribute to Surendra Nath Sarma

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