Retired vice-principal and former Hod of Department of Assamese of Tangla College Dr Jiban Chandra Pathak passed away at the age of 63 years after prolonged illness at Tangla of Udalguri district in Assam on Wednesday.
A linguist, litterateur and culture researcher breathed his last at about 9 am at his residence in Chitranagar locality of Tangla town on Wednesday.
The news of his demise has cast a pall of gloom at Tangla town. Dr Pathak who joined as a professor of Assamese department in Tangla College in the year 1981 served in various capacities including Hod of Assamese and vice-principal of the college before retiring December 31, 2014.
He has authored a number of books and research papers in Assamese literature including ‘Darrangi Upabhasa Adhyan‘; ‘Brihotor Sarthebari Anchalor Utsav Anusthan‘ ; ‘Kamrupi Upabhasa Aru Darrangi Upabhasa‘ which are among his valuable contribution to the world of Assamese literature.
Linguist Dr Jiban Pathak who was also the life member of Asom Sahitya Sabha was actively associated with various social and religious institutions till the time of his demise. Hundreds of people thronged his residence to offer their last respect to him.
Tangla College teachers, representatives of various organizations including Tangla AASU, Sahitya Sabha members, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Santiuse Kujur; social worker, Boli Ram Deka; Senior Citizens Parishad representative, Ramakanta Baruah offered tribute to the research scholar and offered condolences to the bereaved family members.
His body was also taken to Tangla Chitranagar Lakshmi Mandir, Tangla Sahitya Sabha, Swahid Bhawan, Tangla; Tangla College, Tangla Anchalik Raas Committee office where people offered their last respect to the linguist.
His last rites were performed at Tangla Baitarni Dham. His death was widely mourned by folk-culture researcher, Dr Bijoy Kumar Sarma; assistant general secretary, AASU, Jayanta Kumar Bhattacharjya; Udalguri chapter, Asom Sahitya Sabha; Udalguri District Students’ Union, Tangla College Teacher-Staff Association,Tangla Press Club, Tangla Senior Citizens Parishad, Tangla Anchalik Karmachari Parishad among others.