In the twilight days of life, this loving couple, Saroj Kumar Barua and his better half Saila Barua of Dibrugarh, has many reasons to feel contented and full. For they have not only discharged their responsibilities dutifully towards their family but also contributed in their own capacity for the development of the society.

What is most commendable about this couple who have an interesting book titled Chayanika jointly in their name is their down to earth attitude that is also one reason of their shunning the limelight.

Very few people know that Saroj Kumar Barua is the man who has pioneered insurance activities in the State since the 1940s. At a time when insurance was a completely new name, Barua, born on June 10, 1922 chose his career as an insurance agent. There was no dearth of lucrative government jobs at that time for him considering his brilliant academic career. He was a physics graduate from the prestigious Presidency College, Kolkata in 1942. He passed his matriculation from Dibrugarh Government Boys High School securing second position in the Brahmaputra Valley under Calcutta University in 1938.

Barua appeared in the all-India examinations in insurance field and became the first Assamese to get the Associate of Federation of Insurance Institute (AFII) degree in 1964 and Fellow of Federation of Insurance Institute in 1967. “Insurance was a challenging field and I decided to face the challenges,” says Barua taking a journey down memory lane.

The determination and perseverance that Barua showed during his student life was also reflected during the period when he was selling the concept of insurance overcoming the hurdles coming his way. His career graph rose rapidly. Soon he became the chief agent of Andhra Insurance. His efficiency took him to great heights. He was elevated to the post of branch manager of Premier Insurance Company, and as branch manager he won a gold medal on all India basis.

When the insurance companies were nationalized by the Government of India and the Premier Insurance Company merged with the New India Assurance Company, Barua was selected as one of the four divisional managers of the country. He was posted in Kolkata, then transferred to Guwahati and then to Dibrugarh from where he retired in 1983 as the first Assamese divisional manager of the entire Northeast.

During all these years when Barua was devoting himself in popularizing insurance activities in the state, his wife Saila Barua was extending her whole hearted support to him. Saila Barua apart from looking after her household duties had also involved herself in various social activities and had used her spare time in pursuing her creative interests. Writing is a favourite pastime of this lady. She has been holding different posts in various sociocultural organizations and above all, she too had followed in the footsteps of her husband by becoming an insurance agent. Her book, co-authored with her husband and titled Chayanika is an interesting introduction to names and things of ancient India.

“Insurance has now a strong footing in the State. I am happy,” smiles Saroj Kumar Barua. His major contribution can be said to be the introduction and popularization of the concept of motor insurance, fire insurance and to some extent life insurance in upper Assam since 1943. A multifaceted personality, he won many trophies in bridge and chess tournaments held at regional as well as national level. He is even into acting. He took part in plays that were staged by the Dibrugarh Art Players Society.

He was also involved in the freedom movement from 1942 to 1947, but he never applied for a freedom fighter’s pension. With six children and many grandchildren, Barua and his wife, however, have no regrets about life. At this stage in life, they are happy to share their experience with the younger generation, give a few advises and bounty of blessings to all who come into their contact.

Kabita Duarah