A tribute to Narendra Nath Bora: The gem of a person

Yes, you got it right – our beloved Narendra Nath Bora was a 'gem of a person' in real terms!

Narendra Nath Bora was born on December 4, 1938 in Jamugurihat in Sonitpur. He did his Matriculation from Tezpur Government Boys High school in 1955 and passed in 1st Division with letter marks in Mathematics and Advanced Mathematics, and did his ISc and BSc from Cotton College. Later on, he did his BE in Mechanical Engineering from Assam Engineering College Guwahati. He was the first BSc,B.E. from Jamugurihat. NNB joined ASEB in Shillong soon after he passed out in 1964. He retired in 1997.

The year was 1966, I arrived in our home at Rangiya from my workplace Chandrapur in erstwhile ASEB as an Asst. Engineer, eventually I got myself introduced to a few ASEB Electrical Engineers who were staying as tenants in one of our rented accommodations. Being a fellow engineer, I became friendly with them sometime later. One of the occupants of the house was NNB. I was instantly attracted by his polite behaviour and gentleness. Thereafter whenever I came home, I made it a point to meet the young group and sometimes travel together in jeep to their worksites. Thus, during my holiday visit to our house, evening gossip with my new found friends over a cup of tea was an added attraction.

Days and years went by, I was transferred to Shillong. My visits to Rangiya became few and far between. Meanwhile, my "gossip group" shifted to official quarters of ASEB in Rangiya.

In one of my subsequent visits to Rangiya, I was directed by my father to visit Jamugurihat and meet the family of NNB for the purpose of a matrimonial relationship with my sister. I found their village neat and clean and the occupants of our destination home very lively and they greeted us warmly. Soon after the matrimonial event was sealed in 1969.

Narendra Nath Bora was like my elder brother and also my friend philosopher and guide. In case of any event, meeting for any social gathering I sought for his company as we had a close rapport in almost all matters, our mind and thinking was similar. I never witnessed any heated argument in high pitched voice from Narendra Nath Bora .He was an active member of Assam Theosophical society, Sundarpur NaamGhaar and Guwahati Samarpan Dhyan Kendra. On the occasion of his adyashraddha today I pray to the almighty for the eternal peace of his soul.

Pradeep Lahkar ( Brother-in-Law) with inputs by Family members

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