In loving memory of Dr Pradip Sarma

Borta- whenever we hear this word immediately one thing that comes to our mind is lots of love, affection and warmth. Puna Borta was a great source of inspiration for all the children of the family. Be it any occasion, Bihu, Durga Puja, Diwali or any family gathering it was my habit to go to him and seek his blessings. Married to my ‘Anu Borma’ in 1970, Borta had an easy solution to all problems faced by his peers and the young ones of the family. Puna Borta was a very amiable and helpful person with a very positive attitude and was a source of big inspiration for me. For his pleasing personality and multifaceted qualities, he was loved by all. Everywhere he went he made his presence felt by his endearing qualities.

He was an institution in the field of knowledge. He possessed the 5 C’s in life necessary to succeed at the highest level. They are Courage, Conviction, Character, Courtesy and Creativity. He always believed in the adage of simple living and high thinking. His motto, philosophy and ideology of life was to give love, take love and spread love and happiness to everyone in this world. Think good, talk good and do good for others then automatically good things will happen in your life. He was the most organised and methodical person I have ever met in my life. He had a very endearing personality and his charisma was such that people turned their heads towards him and were awestruck by the simplicity, grace and composure which he possessed. He was a strict disciplinarian who instilled in us the values of wisdom, knowledge and power. He lived a complete life seeing his children and grand children growing in front of his eyes. He left for his heavenly abode on August 14, 2019, at the age of 83, leaving behind a rich legacy to follow.

My Borta Late Dr. Pradip Sarma was a popular name in the field of history and culture of Northeast India. He was widely known for popularising investigative research in field Archaeology, including ancient Architecture. He wrote several books in English and Assamese such as Temple Architecture of Assam, Holy Shrines of Assam, Assam and Indo-China and Asamar Bilupta Maidam Parampara (The Lost Mound-Burial System of Tai Ahom Rulers of Assam). A diploma holder in Civil Engineering and MA in Ancient Indian History he got his PhD from Gauhati University in the subject ‘Temple Architecture of Assam from the Gupta Period (CE 320) to the end of the Ahom Rule (CE 1826). Another noteworthy feather in his cap is a series of research papers and popular articles through which he was able to establish linkage between the ethnic cultures of the Brahmaputra valley with the greater Indian culture. Apart from being the founder member of Nabin Sarma Smriti Chara he was also the founder member of New Art Players, Director of Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture and was deeply involved in the development work of Uzanbazar Chatrakar Devalaya.

It’s hard to forget someone who gave us so much love. His loss has left a void that disturbs me everytime I think of him. His memories have now been a treasure and he will always be loved and missed beyond measure. Today on the day of your Adya Shradda on August 24, 2019, I seek your blessings in trying to keep your values alive. I pray to the Almighty for eternal peace of his departed soul.

– Chandradittya Sharma