By K D Momin
Bajengdoba: He came to provide education for young children in this part of North Garo Hills and ultimately gave up his life fighting for the very cause as the raging flood waters of Sunday night’s torrential rains snuffed out his life.
His death was not in vain.
Over a dozen students stranded in flood waters was taken to safety by his 27-year-old teacher from Assam as the storm gained momentum in the darkness of Monday morning.
School authorities narrated the sequence of events that tragically unfolded on that fateful morning.
The warden of the hostel raised the alarm at 4 AM on Monday after rising flood waters from the nearby Didram (Ginari) river began to enter the Riverside Seventh Day Adventist school compound.
Science teacher of the school, Rituraj Phukan hailing from Assam, who had been teaching in the institute since 2008, was one of the first to response to the distress call.
“Since he was a trained natural swimmer he was one of the first teachers to reach the flooded dormitory of the students. He pushed to safety the stranded students and continued his work close to three hours,” narrated school employees and students who witnessed his heroic act.
Hailing from upper Assam, Rituraj found his life’s calling at Bajengdoba’s Riverside Academy where he quickly adapted to teaching life over six years ago.
He met his better half, Rosaline, hailing from Jaintia Hills, while working in the school and took her as his life partner.
On that fateful Monday morning, Rituraj was trying to rescue a stranded lady teacher who took part in the rescue operation and had gotten bogged down when he lost the battle against nature.
Though he managed to push the lady teacher to safety, sadly, he was unable to save himself and was washed away by the raging flood waters downstream. His body was recovered from Kukurkata area of neighbouring Assam.
“He gave his life for others. He was a true teacher who helped others. We will not forget him,” lamented teachers and students of the school who met the affected victims on Friday afternoon.