GUWAHATI, May 7 � Thousands of admirers today mourned the death of eminent historian and social scientist Dr Amalendu Guha, who passed away in the wee hours today.
People in large numbers gathered at his residence, in the Asam Sahitya Sabha office, on the Cotton College premises and in the offices of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Ellora Vigyan Mancha, to pay their last respects.
State Agriculture, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Rakibul Hussain, on behalf of the State Government, paid tribute to Dr Guha at his residence. He also conveyed Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi�s condolence to the bereaved family members.
Dr Hiren Gohain, along with his wife Rani Gohain, paid homage to the Dr Guha.
�Society has lost a prominent intellectual, writer and thinker. He was a torchbearer of historical writings of the contemporary period. His ideology always inspired people to stick to democratic principles. A multifaceted personality, his grasp on Assamese and Bengali languages symbolised coordination and coexistence,� said Dr Gohain.
Litterateur Nirupama Borgohain said that Dr Amalendu Guha�s contributions have not just enriched society and literature but every individual who came into contact with him. �Death is inevitable, and we have no other option but to accept it,� she said.
According to journalist Nitya Bora, the ideology of Dr Guha would inspire generations to come. �Taking forward his ideology in the right way would determine whether we have been able to pay a befitting tribute to him or not,� he said.
His last will and testament regarding his body donation was read out before the gathering by the office-bearers of Ellora Vigyan Mancha outside the office of the Mancha at Hedayatpur in the city. The Mancha, it may be mentioned, has been playing a pivotal role in promoting body donation and fight against superstitions.
In the will, Dr Guha had expressed his desire to donate his body through the Ellora Vigyan Mancha to the GMCH for the cause of medical science.
Other eminent personalities who came to his residence included Dr Kulendu Pathak, Sudakshina Sarma, Toshaprabha Kalita, Udayaditya Bharali, Ajoy Dutta, Anuradha Sarma Pujari, Kirti Kamal Bhuyan, Hemen Das and Dhrupad Bargohain, among others.
The Association of Past and Present Office Bearers Cotton College Union Societies (APPOCCUS) has also condoled Dr Guha�s death.
The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) has also condoled the death of the eminent scholar. In a condolence message, the AGP termed his death as a great loss for the nation and conveyed its sympathies to the bereaved family members.
The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Manab Adhikar Sangram Samiti, Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, Moran Students� Union, among others, also condoled Dr Guha�s death.
