SHILLONG: Saurindra Mohan Datta of Lumdiengsoh, Shillong, passed away at the age of 94 due to cardiac arrest at a local hospital here on Thursday and his body was cremated.
Born on July 17,1927 in Kamrup District of undivided Assam to Late RaisahebKamini Mohan Datta, Extra Additional Commissioner, Government of Assam and Late Hemanta Kumari Datta, Late Datta began his school education in Guwahatiand completed his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Jadavpur University, Calcutta in 1951.
He was a singer, cricketer and an excellent athlete.
He had served as an engineer for ten years in Digboi and Duliajan with the Assam Oil Company (formerly Burma Oil Company).
Later, he joined the Shillong Hydro Electric Company, the first power generation company in Shillong and settled here in 1961-62 with his family.
He was one of the first electrical engineers in Shillong and through his exemplary integrity, dedication and industry,the city saw the expansion of household electrification during the sixties and seventies.After his retirement in 1984,many a Dorbar Shnong headman would come to pay tribute and respect to him for his service.
He was an avid gardener even in his nineties and till his last days, he grew a delectable selection of flowering plants in his home at Lumdiengsoh.
He was available anytime for the needy and helpless in society which reflected his philanthropic proclivity and responsible citizenship.
He is survived by his wife Reba Datta, son Shyamal Datta,daughter MondakiniBasu, son-in-law Apurba Basu, grandson Kaustav Basu and grand-daughters Averi Ivy Basu and Awareness Paksang.
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the accompanying lockdown, there will be a small ritual on April 21 at his residence in Lumdiengsoh. This will be followed by an all faith prayer and meditation to be announced at a later date.
