Guwahati: As Assam observed Bishnu Rabha Divas on Friday to honor the cultural and revolutionary legacy of Bishnu Prasad Rabha, a distressing situation surfaced in Dibrugarh district. Lakheswar Barua, a 98-year-old veteran and former associate of the late icon, is spending his final years in neglect without basic government welfare benefits.
A resident of No. 1 Dikhari village in Moran, Barua spent his youth dedicated to social activism and patriotism. Inspired by Rabha, he spent decades fighting for the rights of the common people. Today, the elderly activist is confined to a wheelchair and struggles to meet his daily needs. His family reports that he has been denied access to old-age pensions and essential state assistance.
The family also faces further hardship due to the needs of his specially-abled son, Nanda Barua, who has similarly failed to receive support. Reflecting on the veteran's dire conditions, a family member stated, "It was unfortunate that a person who dedicated his life to society and the nation was not receiving even the minimum government support in his old age."
Members of the Moran Press Club visited the veteran at his home on Friday to offer recognition for his lifelong service. The situation highlights a growing concern over the treatment of those who contributed to the nation’s growth but now face their final days in obscurity. It remains unclear if local authorities will intervene to provide the necessary aid to the aging activist.
Comments