A tribute to Haren Dev Mahanta

The first time I met him I was struck by his smile.
A tribute to Haren Dev Mahanta

The first time I met him I was struck by his smile. Ever-so-slightly hesitant, yet gentle and kind, the eyes betraying the faintest of a twinkle yet coated with loving concern. One was drawn to him spontaneously. And, indeed, Haren was just that– a man who thought well of others as much as others had an instinctive feeling of brotherhood towards him.

Born to Mahendra Chandra Dev Mahanta and Damayanti Bala Devi in 1953, Haren began his academic life from Batadrava High School and then from Class 5 onwards at Government Boys' High School, Nagaon. A brilliant student throughout, excelling in the sciences, he graduated with honours in mathematics from Cotton College and completed his Masters from Gauhati University. Married to Mamu Goswami, Haren was the quintessential happy family man, with their two children, Kundal and Birina, reared in the fine tradition in which Haren and Mamu had themselves grown up.

We entered the Assam Civil Service in 1983, and later were inducted into the IAS in 1999. Both of us had a love for books; he, with a distinct inclination for history and science. But more than this love was his involvement with Mahapurush Sri Sri Sankadev's life. For many years he was academically associated with the great saint's life and I am sure that had the quest not been interrupted by his entry into the civil services, we would have been further enriched by Haren's insight into Assam's patron saint.

Without the least bit of arrogance either in his professional life or in his personal interactions with his friends, Haren left behind a fine legacy as Deputy Commissioner of Cachar and later, as Director, Administrative Staff College, he won the appreciation of all who came in close touch with him. On his first death anniversary, I pray once again for his eternal peace.

– Dhruba Hazarika

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