A TRIBUTE TO A TRUE SAMARITAN

Rebati Mohan Sinha

By Rebati Mohan Sinha

Working President

Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha, Mumbai

This is a tribute to Padmasan Sinha, my beloved colleague, and the Working President of Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha, who  left us on 14th August 2010 for his heavenly abode.

His demise was a great shock to us. We barely thought about this that happened so soon. He was introduced to me at Silchar by Dr. Debendra Kumar Sinha, President, NBMM on the occasion of “World Conference 2003” organized by Nikhil Bishnupriya Manipuri Mahasabha. Within no time we became close because of a common habit, that of chewing tobacco paan. At that time, I knew very little of his personal and family back ground. He told me that he was from village Sripur of Bhanugachh and his father`s name was Tanuba Sinha, and he holds a diploma in Engineering. I learned from him that he has fought for the Independence of Bangladesh as a Mukti Yuddhwa. I remember, when I told him about my involvement with Mukti Vahini in Diamond Harbour, a southern suburb of Kolkata located on the banks of the Hooghly River. He stood up and embraced me. Those days (pre-Bangladesh Liberation war time), being a Bengali speaking Naval Architect, I had been given a responsibility of monitoring the stability of boats being loaded with mines and depth charges for saboteur work in rivers like Pushur in erstwhile East Pakistan.

His long cherished wish of visiting Mumbai remained as a distant dream as he could not attend “Sylhet 2010” which was recently concluded in Mumbai. When I, on behalf of Sreehatta Sammilani, Mumbai, had extended an invitation to join us for the celebration, he expressed his inability. Whenever there was a function or an occasion like Mahasabha Adhiveshan in India, days before he used to plan out all details, so that at the grand finale nothing was found amiss. He used to address others problem, as if it were his own with a smile, without ever sharing his own worries. I came to know that it was a very moving sight to see hundreds of people following him on his final journey. People from all walks of life had joined the procession.

The deeds of this eminent personality are very difficult to pen down in mere words. He was a philanthropist, a philosopher and a guide whose very life itself was like a living example of how to lead ones life. He lived his life with courage and dignity, strong values and honesty, commitment and generosity. He had just started Padma Memorial Public High School in Islampur, he was the President of Manipuri (Bishnupriya & Meitei) Samaj Kalyan Samiti and donated a piece of land for its offices; but he could not complete the full project.

He was an active member of Rotary Club of Sylhet and the President of Manipuri Adivasi Forum of Bangladesh. He left us at this time when we needed him the most. Few people in this world have his refined qualities. His absence has left a serious vacuum.

Today as we look into mirror of time, we see his honesty, hard work and vision that enabled people around him to grow constantly from one milestone to another.

His incredible optimism and wonderful sense of humour brought rainbows in the cloudy (weather) moments. We are grateful for the gentle guidance and immense love with which you led us ahead and we pray that God grants you eternal peace and joy that you so richly deserve. We salute this true soldier and bid him adieu. May his eternal soul rest in peace and inspire us to tackle our routine life.