Obituary | Abhijit Gupta, the religious man with a smile

*The write-up is on behalf of the family of Abhijit Gupta

Dec. 25: Abhijit Gupta of Malugram Bhanga Kalibari, Silchar left for his heavenly abode on 15 December, 2021 after fighting hard to battle Covid-19. He was in ventilation for 12 days but almighty had his own ways. Abhijit Gupta was a God-fearing man who was too religious from his core. Besides his own temple, one of the oldest Kalibari of Malugram at the bank of river Barak, he was a spiritual devotee of Sri Satya Sai Seva Organisation. His last act was to celebrate and serve on Baba’s Birth Day at the Silchar Satya Sai temple.

Abhijit Gupta was also popularly known in the town as ‘Bacchu Gupta’ who was fond of playing cricket in his youth and many fondly remember him from those days. He represented Cachar district both in cricket and football besides representing Bijoyee Sangha, Malugram Cub, Town Cub, Nabarun Sangha. No local event would be without his active participation.

As a person, he was the most contented man, lived a disciplined life, was a very meticulous financial planner, and had zero vices. No one has ever seen him wasting any resources on unnecessary elements which is a big learning for the next generation. He was in fact the pillar of ‘Kalibari’ as most of the rituals to maintain the temple were very silently performed by him. This could be the plan of Almighty to call him early to his heavenly abode. He served well for 68 years, too early to leave for the heavenly world. The family is yet to accept the reality and can only ‘curse’ the pandemic.

Friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, and common market vendors are in shock! Messages are pouring in from many parts and people are yet to accept the reality. He was so popular without any exaggeration with his simple personality. A man who solved other commoners’ disagreements, a man who would walk the extra mile with a smiling face, a man without any foe, ego, or quarrel.

Abhijit Gupta has one son but his love for the girl child was profoundly visible. He treated all the daughters-in-law of the family as his own daughter and silently cared. The only girl child (youngest brother’s daughter) of the family was his angel. His love for his wife was openly visible. He loved life, traveled well but his heart was always in his Malugram home. Last he left Kolkata in a hurry to reach his hometown as if the call was eternal… He gave no trouble to anyone, even on his last days, the struggle was his only, in the ventilator. Like his father Late Bishnu Pada Gupta, he left us without giving any trouble, In fact, he didn’t give an opportunity to anyone to take any trouble.

Words can keep flowing but the man would not come back. His deeds and personality would remain vibrant. He would be always remembered as a man who was very common in his demeanor but very evolved from inside, a man with his own resources, always happy, always smiling, never angry. His only ambition was his family, temple, and immediate society with folded hands ready to serve…