Our dearest Koka is no more, yet our memories remain. “Koka”, the very word brings to our mind the portrait of a quiet and serene figure in clean and white Kurta Pajamas, sitting in the porch lost in his thoughts or browsing through the newspaper.
Koka was a man of few words and sometimes it became very difficult for us to elicit a word out of him. But sometimes when he was in mood, he would let us have a glimpse of his eventful life, especially of his school and college days. Such occasions were rare and very special to us because usually when we pestered him to tell us stories, he would only say “Kailey Kom” (I’ll tell tomorrow), but “Kailey” would never come.
Koka was not one to display his affections openly, no hugs or kisses as such, but everytime we came to Dibrugarh, we could see his face light up with a smile and his one word “Ahila” (So you have come) reflected his immense love for us all. For us this meant a lot more than hugs or kisses.
Koka was always the first one to get up in the morning. Whenever we were in Dibrugarh, every morning we would be woken by Koka’s booming yet kind voice. He never allowed us to sleep late. He wanted us to make good use of our time.
Koka was a gourmet. Good food, fish in particular was his weakness. He also liked watching others enjoy food. Whenever we came to Dibrugarh he would have varieties of eatables bought.
To others Koka was a great politician, an astute lawyer. But to us, he was first and foremost “Koka” who always had time for us – to give us advice, to tell us rare stories. In fact, he was like a huge tree engulfing us in its shade.
All these sweet memories of yesterday, memories of the happier times which he had spent with us are now only a part of the past. Koka is no more. But we hope that wherever he is, he finds true peace and happiness, maybe more than this world offered to him.
By:Ankur, Nishita, Raktim, Rachita, Pallavi,
Rashmi, Raya, Bristi, Rohan, Gayatri.
(His grandchildren)
05/08/1998
