Phani, my nephew in law, passed away on 25th of June in Guwahati His departure has brought to me the sweet memories of his brilliant career.
He was born in 1933, in Machkowa village of Dhemaji area in Assam and was brought up by his father, who was a primary school teacher. Under able guidance of his father, Phani learned to value hard independent work as the foundation of a cheerful optimistic life.
While studying in college, he realised that for our better and secured future, we need good health, a sound financial status and an amiable team spirit amongst us to create a happy and peaceful atmosphere. So following graduation he concentrated his mind with a positive attitude to have all these through sports, business, social and political circles of the society.
Phani, by dint of his sincere dedication, to hard constructive work became a self-made young man. To achieve what he needs, he started his long journey, from a humble beginning in the remote village of Assam working up his entry to the most responsible and highest positions in all the spheres of the society. What a journey it was!! In fact it was a prototype of the journey from ‘log cabin to White House’.
When I met him first, in 1960, I was impressed by his charming personality. His bright eyes were full of promises to do something good for us. He talked to me at a great length to put into my conscience that British Raja, until 1947, has made us all mentally cripple and taught us to lead our live with a servile mentality. Though we have achieved freedom still we are working for our livelihood with a bowing down head like obedient servants. He was very serious, when he told me that we should get rid of all these inferiority complexes to achieve freedom in a true sense of term – a life without fear and without an idea of failure.
Few times he came to UK not to enjoy a holiday, but to gather little knowledge about the people of a stable nation of the world. He went to Parliament to find out how they run their country, how the members of parliament talk, how they debate and how debonair are they! He talked to few of them and also spoke to few of the common people in the street with an inquisitive mind to learn more about politics and day to day lives of common people in UK.
He attended quite a few business centres in London and other cities of UK to know their business trends. He went to find out how the immigrants in Southall, Bradford and Leicester are settling there. With a keen interest in sports he went into different sport circles to know the secrets of their successes in the domain of sport. He contacted with the Editor of Wisden a sports journal of the world to gain ideas of running a successful sports journal in Assam.
While in UK, hardly he had time to take rest. He was all the time up and doing. I remember, one fine morning he requested me to take him to a dairy farm to find out how the British farmers keep themselves busy from morning till night in their farms rearing cows, sheep and pigs and how they are dealing with milk and other products of domestic animals. I took him to a well-known farmer in Marlborough, who very kindly showed him what he wanted to see in his farm.
He also visited the sites of waste disposals, recycling of plastic bags and also drainage system of Swindon after he became the Mayor of Guwahati. I took him to Severn-Trent Sewage disposal units and Water supply reservoir to give him an idea of how the bio-chemists are keeping themselves busy for 24 hours in detecting any pollution of drinking water.
Once he stood on the pavement of a busy street in London to find out how traffic light system, police and traffic wardens are helping to control the traffic in a busy street of London.
His contribution to Assam, especially in sports will be remembered by us all. He has an honoured name at home and abroad. He was kind hearted and generous. It was quite befitting that he was given an honorary degree in sports and games by World Open University.
He had chronic diabetes mellitus with failure of kidney function for which he had to be under frequent dialysis, but, all these could not deter him from his activities, – doctors are there to take care of his disease but he has promises to keep on going ahead with his hard work.
May his benevolent works inspire the youngsters in similar ways to bring health and happiness to all of us at home and abroad. Now Phani is no longer with us, may his soul rest in eternal peace.
Akon Mama
Dr. Anil Ranjan Barthakur
Swindon. United Kingdom
Our Bhindeo
