TEZPUR, June 21 - Padma Shri Dr Sheela Borthakur, who was a prominent social worker, educator, litt�rateur and founder president of Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity (SALSS) passed away at around 9.55 am today in Guwahati. She was 84.
Born in 1935 in Jorhat district, her early years were spent in Dhaka. She did her graduation at the Jagannath Barooah College, Jorhat.
After her marriage to Saranan Borthakur, she relocated to Tezpur and started her career as a teacher at Tezpur High School, but continued her studies to secure Masters and doctoral degrees � her thesis being on �Social Change in Assam�.
She subsequently joined Darrang College as a lecturer of Philosophy. She was also the founder Principal of the first women�s college in Tezpur named Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi Kanya Mahavidyalaya.
The Government of India awarded her the fourth-highest civilian honour Padma Shri in 2008 for her contribution to the society.
Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Sonitpur Press Club, Baan Theatre, cultural activists, social workers, members of various cultural groups and organisations paid floral tributes on her mortal remains.
Our Doomdooma Correspondent adds: The Doomdooma branch of Sadou Asom Lekhika Samaroh Samity deeply mourned the death of Dr Sheela Borthakur, who left for her heavenly abode today morning.
In a condolence message, the president of the branch Dr Meena Devi Baruah and secretary Meera Saikia termed the death of Dr Sheela Borthakur as an irreparable loss for the social life of the state. They conveyed their deep condolences to the bereaved family members of Dr Borthakur.
Doomdooma Press Club also mourned the death of Padma Shri Dr Sheela Borthakur.
