GUWAHATI, Jan 11 � All India Patriotic Forum, Assam branch on Saturday remembered Umesh Chandra Devchoudhury, who joined the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) under the leadership of Netaji Subhah Chandra Bose in 1943 and fought many battles for the motherland.
�Probably the last INA soldier from Assam, Devchoudhury passed away on December 11, 2013 at his residence in Patacharkuchi of Lower Assam. A Lieutenant of INA, Devchoudhury led an active life till his demise at the age of 97,� said a statement.
In a memorial meeting held in Guwahati Press Club, various speakers highlighted the spirit of patriotism shown by Devchoudhury and his colleagues who led an eventful struggle in various Southern and Southeast Asian places like Singapore, Rangoon, Arakan front�etc. With his sincerity and commitment, Devchoudhury elevated himself up to
the level of Lieutenant in INA and led his troop against the British imperial forces mostly on the India-Myanmar border in 1944 to make India an independent nation.
Speakers including freedom fighters Jatin Goswami and Ganesh Chandra Das, Professor Rabin Devchoudhury, Ajay Dutta, Jaharlal Saha, Umakanta Bhattacharya, Jagadindra Raichoudhury, Rupam Barua, Hiten Mahanta, Nava Thakuria, KN Devchoudhury, Pramod Kalita among others, paid their heartiest tributes to the departed soul.
Earlier, floral tributes were paid to Devchoudhury and two patriotic songs Bande Mataram and O Mor Aponar Desh were also sung by the participants in the memorial meeting.
