DYNAMIC, perhaps, will be an understatement to refer to this lady. This 88-year-old woman of substance has been revered and honoured by one and all for her work in her chosen, i.e., social service. She is a most caring and living personality. The world know her as Kamal Kumari Baruah.

Kamal Kumari Baruah is a symbol of respect and ideology for the entire womenfolk of Assam. She discharged duties efficiently as a lecturer of JB College, Jorhat and as the minister of state for social welfare, Assam many years back. She was also the chairman, advisory board of state Social Welfare Department, president of the Asom Mahila Samiti, Sadou Asom Maina Parijat, etc and performed her duties with dignity.

By relation, she is my aunt — the elder sister of my mother. I would offer a rose to this lady for the commoners whenever I happen to be in her Jyotinagar, Guwahati residence. We discuss all topics openly and in a friendly manner.

Kamal Kumari was born on May 27, 1921 at Jorhat to late Kanak Nath Dutta Saikia and late Nirada Bala. Kanak Nath was the son of late Mihiram Saikia who hailed from Titabor. Kanak Nath was the recipient of the gold medal as a brilliant student while he was studying in Cotton College. He completed his law degree showing excellent results and became a lawyer at Jorhat during the British period. However, following Gandhiji’s appeal, he stopped practice and started timber business. Kanak Nath was an ideal person while his wife Nirada Bala had the loving quality. From her childhood, Kamal Kumari was influenced by the noble qualities of her parents.

After successful completion of Primary standard, as there was no school of secondary standard for girl students during 1933, Kamal Kumari continued her study residing at her uncle’s house in Dibrugarh for three years. Then, she was shifted to Jorhat Girls High School. She passed Matric examination securing first division in 1938. During her school life, she became the member of student Congress, attended various meetings and built her nationalist character. Similarly, she showed her calibre in songs and dance winning medals. Thanks to the able guidance of her mother, Kamal Kumari also became an expert weaver.

Every brilliant students of that time dreamt of studying in Cotton College for building the academic career. Kamal kumari was no exception. But Nirada Bala did not let her daughter to go to such a distant place (Guwahati).

Kanak Nath-Nirada Bala bore ten children — seven daughters and three sons. Kamal Kumari was the eldest of all. Kanak Nath wanted Kamal Kumari to continue her higher studies. He searched for a companion for Kamal Kumari at college. There was a girl named Ghanakanti who was deprived of continuing higher studies due to poor financial condition. Kanak Nath brought Ghanakanti to his residence and financed her studies at JB College along with Makhani (Kamal Kumari). At that time, Pandit Krishna Kanta Handique (the Sanskrit scholar and the father of Central minister, Bijoy Krishna Handique) was the principal of the college. Tulsi Narayan Sharmah (father of the chairman of National Rural Development Board, Dr Jayanta Madhab) was the vice-principal. With the able guidance of these two great sons of the soil, Kamal Kumari passed the BA examination.

After obtaining BA degree, Kamal Kumari was married to Hem Chandra Barua, the son of the then headmaster of Jorhat Government HS School, Ram Chandra Baruah. Many people encouraged Kamal Kumari for studying MA. Fatherly teacher Tulsi Narayan contacted Calcutta University for continuing her master degree privately. Accordingly, Kamal Kumari with her five-month-old baby Rubi (eldest son) on her lap, appeared for and passed the MA examination securing second class.

In the year 1946, Kamal Kumari joined as a lecturer of JB College. Simultaneously, she also stepped into social service and gained popularity. Some distinguished students of Kamal Kumari are Bijoy Krishna Handique, Bhabananda Deva Goswami, Satradhikar, Bengena Ati Satra, Majuli, Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa, retired IAS and presently the editor of Dainik Asam, Radhika Mohan Bhagawati (veteran journalist and editor, Dainik Batori), Sailen Phukan (retired Chief Justice), Sarat Barkataky (former minister and a sitting MLA of Assam) and Tarun Gogoi (Chief Minister, Assam).

As a noted businessman, Kanak Nath, besides other friends had frown up intimacy with some influential Congressmen. They requested Kamal Kumari to enter into active politics. They also requested her to contest the general elections as a Congress candidate availing the scope of 35 per cent reservation policy for women. Although Kamal Kumari did not make up her mind for seeking election, she had to do so due to pressure from people. She finally fought the general election in 1957 as a Congress candidate and won by a margin of 8,000 votes against two opponents. She joined hands with the then Chief Minister Bishnu Ram Medhi and engaged herself for carrying out the welfare programmes of the government in her home constituency, Jorhat (then Charaibahi) and rest of Assam. The notable deeds were — setting up of the Assam Agricultural University and the Regional Research Laboratory that has now been rechristened as North East Institute of Science and Technology, in Jorhat, Jorhat Engineering College and the Regional Science College, Jorhat, besides executing other welfare schemes for the benefit of the people.

In 1962 elections, she again won from the same Assembly segment. That time Kamal Kumari was offered the portfolio of state education minister by the then Chief Minister, Bimala Prasad Chaliha. Due to her sincerity, dedication and ability, Kamal Kumari was also allotted the charge of minister of state for finance, secretariat administration and information & publicity department.

At that time, the ministers used to receive Rs 500 and MLA were given Rs 250 as salary per month. In addition to that, they were allotted government vehicles for travel. Kamal Kumari used to pick up ladies waiting for transport and rendered all help if and when anybody faced any problems.

The then Central minister Indira Gandhi used to ask Kamal Kumari (who was a minister of Assam at the time) to accompany her while she was visiting various places of the Northeast and praised her for providing the real picture and data required for development activities.

Due to some party infighting and dishonesty shown by the workers, she was defeated in the following general election. She then resigned from active politics.

Although, afterwards, dedicated Congress leaders including late Sarat Chandra Sinha requested Kamal Kumari to make a comeback to active politics, she did not change her mind. Even though she relinquished the chairpersonship of the State Social Welfare Board on personal ground, the State Government requested her to retain the post for five years, an extension of two years.

Kamal Kumari was also the president of the All Assam Maina Parijat and strived to do many notable works for the children of this region. She is involved with this NGO till today. She rendered her services to All Assam Chemania Parishad and devoted herself for completion of certain projects with the financial aid of the Unicef. She was also associated with Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust, Jail Commission, All India Women Committee, committee of Reserve Bank of India to safeguard the rights of women.

Whoever happens to be in Guwahati must have seen the building of All Assam Mahila Samiti at Guwahati Club near TC Government Girls HS School. The building could be constructed for the sincere effort of Kamal Kumari Baruah who helped to raise fund from all quarters.

A person may be very busy, but he or she should manage time to help develop the society — it is her motto. During a visit to America with her husband to meet their son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Kamal Kumari collected $6,000 from the generous Assamese NRIs for the purpose of construction of the Samiti’s said building.

Kamal Kumari is presently residing at her eldest son Ashim Kumar Baruah’s (Rubi) house in Jyotinagar. Kamal Kumari’s younger son Ashok Barua (Dadul) is an engineer and is a permanent resident of USA. Her eldest daughter Reeta Das and her family also live in America, while the younger one, Lakhimi and her family are residents of Boston, USA.

Till now, Kamal Kumari Baruah is maintaining a very good health. Even at this age she travels across Assam and attends meetings. Besides giving interview and writing in the periodicals, she has compiled three books. People from all walks of life love her for her amiable nature, friendly attitude and deep love for humanity.

Parag Baruah