A tribute to Dilip Kumar Bordoloi (Dipu da)

No one in Mangaldai-the district headquarters town of Darrang- could have imagined that Dilip Kumar Bordoloi (65), popularly known as Dipu da, will meet the tragic end of his life in the clutches of the dreaded COVID-19.

Dipu da –a resident of Bhebarghat in Ward No.10 of Mangaldai town, finally faced his last defeat in the battle for survival at about 9.45 pm on August 25 in GMCH, Guwahati. He was admitted in the hospital with the symptom of pneumonia on August 20 and unfortunately tested COVID-19 positive.

He was second in the family of eminent medical practitioners Dr. Rewatai Mohan Bordoloi and Bokuli Bordoloi. Though he was born at Gorukhuti in Darrang district (as his father was serving in the Gorukhuti State Dispensary) on June 14 of 1956, he completed his education in Mangaldai. During his days in Mangaldai College, he represented the college and district team in football and acquired expertise in corner kicks. In 1987, he joined the Health department as a Health Educator and took his retirement in 2018.

As my father was a classmate and close friend of his father Dr. Rewati Mohan Bordoloi, I came into very close touch with the entire family at Bhebarghat. During the AASU sponsored six-year long Assam Agitation, his residence almost became the non-official 'office' of the AASU activists, for which the entire family was subjected to continuous atrocities of the police and the administration. Despite facing the wrath from the police, Dipu da and his brothers continued their contribution in the Assam Agitation without expecting any personal benefit or interest.

Dipu da in 1984 tied the nuptial knot with Sabita Devi of Bhergaon area (now under Udalguri district) and was successful in guiding their daughter Jupi Bordoloi to join the Assam Police Service. She is now rendering her sincere service as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) in Nalbari district.

Today on this auspicious day of his adya shraddha, I offer my heartfelt tribute to his memory. I also share the pain and sorrow of his mother, wife Sabita Devi, daughter Jupi, son Jongki and his brothers Kalpa Singh Bordoloi, Dizoo Bordoloi, Pratap Bordoloi and Bhanti. I pray before the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul of Dipu da. Om Shanti

–Bhargab Kumar Das