GUWAHATI, Nov 9 � �Such a big day for me is also an important day for Assamese people because there is sadness of loss together with an opening of hearts� Every face in the crowd a unique story and I saw a lot of honest feelings. Long live the spirit of love and revolution that my dad wrote and sang about,� said Tej Hazarika as he kept close to the funeral pyre of his illustrious father.
Presenting a picture of quiet dignity, Tej, in spotless white, greeted all who came his way. In grief, he maintained composure that is rare and admirable in public life.
After lighting the pyre, he conducted the rituals guided to him by the chief priest, Mukunda Sarma. Along with a few other members of his family, he spoke to people from diverse backgrounds who were all spellbound by his father�s genius.
�Today is a fine homecoming for Tej,� said Kandarpa Sarma of Jalukbari. �He now knows the esteem the Assamese have for his father.�
Dr Hazarika�s long-time companion Kalpana Lajmi was grief-stricken and maintained silence throughout the major part of the funeral. Later, briefly speaking to a section of the press, the noted filmmaker said, �I will love him always. I don�t think he has left me� I believe his soul will be with me till the end of my life�.
For Hitesh Nath of Goalpara, to be present at the funeral ceremony was �an honour and a blessing�. Nath had travelled by train yesterday to visit the Judges� Field, after which he reached Jalukbari around one at night. �I have not had food since last night, but it does not matter.�
�I have grown up listening to and singing Bhupenda�s songs, and I felt it was my duty to be here today,� he remarked.
Raw emotions were evident among scores of others who came to witness the cremation. Many of them had waited for several hours at the venue having started from their homes in the wee hours. Jeuti Pathak, a nurse at the Central Nursing Home, along with two of her colleagues were drawn by �love and respect for Bhupenda�.
Some families had brought children to the site realising the historic value of the event. Little Trishu and his mother Ruma Das had travelled from Kahilipara to have a last glimpse of Dr Hazarika�s mortal remains. Similarly, Jonab Ali and his sons, Mujib and Najib, had reached the venue, travelling all the way from Nowboicha. They waited several hours with no food or water, but at the end did not complain.
Lopamudra Kashyap, a student of Gauhati University, was working as a volunteer at the cremation ground. She never imagined that the turnout of people would be so vast. �It is a great feeling to see so many people paying tributes to a true hero.�
