SHILLONG, Sep 28: Former member of Rajya Sabha, Dr. Bidhu Bhusan Dutta, who breathed his last on Monday, was cremated at Mawbah on Tuesday in the presence of friends and admirers, while condolences continued to pour in from the political fraternity and people at large.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, during the day, visited the residence of Dutta and later took to Twitter to express his condolences. “Paid my respects to (L) Dr. B.B. Dutta, former Rajya Sabha MP, teacher, scholar and a great man who was an active participant of the Hill State Movement. He was an inspiring figure and his demise is a great loss to our state. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and admirers,” the chief minister said.
Governor Satya Pal Malik, too, condoled the demise of Dutta.
He was a pioneer of various institutions like the Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture, Shillong, and Asian Confluence, Shillong, which promoted multicultural ethos and intellectual and spiritual enlightenment, the Governor said.
BJP leader AL Hek, UDP leaders BM Lanong and Jemino Mawthoh were among others who paid their last tributes to the departed soul. A memorial meeting is also expected to be organised sometime next week involving all sections of people.
On the other hand, Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said that Dutta will be remembered for his sterling contributions to politics, culture and academics. “His Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture in Shillong is a tall testimony to his vision. We’ve lost an icon. My condolences,” Sarma took to Twitter and said.
The Muslim Graveyard, on the behalf of Muslim community, condoled the demise of Dutta and recalled his contributions to the development of the Muslim graveyard in Mawprem.
The executive committee also held a meeting and observed a one-minute as a mark of respect for the departed soul.
The Laban Bengalee Boys Higher Secondary School and Laban Bengalee Girls Higher Secondary Schools also recalled Dutta’s contribution towards the schools and its uplift.
