A Tribute to Pita (Late Birendra Mohan Goswami)

A wise man once said: "No matter how rich you become, how famous or how powerful, when you die the size of your funeral will still pretty much depend on the weather".

A wise man once said: "No matter how rich you become, how famous or how powerful, when you die the size of your funeral will still pretty much depend on the weather". The afternoon of 29th December, 2020 was bright and sunny. A mild breeze was blowing and there was the hint of a lark trying to sing an ode or two. The gathering at the Nabagraha crematorium was indeed large in spite of the COVID restrictions. As the pyre burnt to an intense flame, it dawned on me that, for once, the wise man was wrong. The large gathering was in spite of the weather. It was because Late Birendra Mohan Goswami was a good man. A man loved by many.

My first impression of Pita was that of a composed personality with a handsome disposition, an intelligent professional and having a smile that would put one immediately at ease. With time I got to know more. He was a movie buff and a food lover. His charitable work at his native village Naptipara is well remembered. Tales of his superb technical knowledge, his amusing ways of dealing with critical problems, his quick witted remarks and his incorruptible disposition are legends at his workplace. Many an extended family member is indebted to him for his various acts of kindness including support towards education, marriages and hospital expenses. Pita, to his daughter, was a rock, her trusted friend who has never let her down. Kokata, to his grandchildren, was a playmate who would pamper them with all his love. As for me, I have been particularly humbled by my father-in-law's endurance and caring disposition. He never spoke in the first person. And therein lay the greatness of the man.

The flames rose high and the brilliance of the pyre soon transformed our Pita, our Kokata into the other world. Pita, Kokata, please know that you will be missed by all who knew and loved you. Your footsteps can never be filled nor your love ever forgotten. Yours was a life in the service of others. Today, on the day of his Adyashraddha, we respectfully bow and pray to the almighty that his soul may rest in eternal peace.

– Parthapratim Phukan

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Pita

Late Birendra Mohan Goswami

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