A Legacy of Love and Inspiration: Remembering Taru Das Kakati

Late Taru Das Kakati
(1941-2024)

Summer vacations in Barpeta were a cherished ritual. Almost every monsoon, my parents would leave me with my grandmother for a delightful two weeks or more. My grandfather ran an ice cream factory in Bongaigaon, and a bonus during my Barpeta days was a visit to him and the unlimited ice cream.

For as long as I can remember, Taru Das Kakati was a prominent name in the sleepy little town of Barpeta. It was a place where everyone knew everyone. For me, it was half a month of royalty, where everyone showered me with love and affection.

She was distinguished to be the first female employee of the District Commissioners’ office of the Barpeta division of Assam. At a time, when working females were not quite encouraged in society, she managed to be that iconic lady who broke all societal shackles. Aaita (the Assamese for Grandmother) completed her schooling from a night school, something that women would not dare to do at that age and then further went on to complete her graduation. A true epitome of feminism and women empowerment, she is distinguished to have encouraged girls to take up volleyball and kabaddi and later took them to tournaments across the country as team manager. She was an avid traveller and has toured the entire country, trekking to places that even we youngsters have failed to reach. A writer herself, she has been associated with numerous literary organisations across the state and has published quite a few books. 

However for me, summer vacations with her meant half a month of royalty, where everyone showered me with love and affection.

During one of these visits, aaita took me to the Lekhika Somaroh office. As a kid, her colleagues and fellow writers were thrilled to have me around. I remember running around the office, located in Ambari, as they prepared for an event. I unknowingly became a part of it, running around with aaita, helping with preparations, climbing walls, decorating, and setting up the stage. That was the first event I ever worked on, an opportunity I will be forever grateful to aaita for.

Years later, when I was in Delhi preparing for medical entrance exams, I faced one of the biggest dilemmas of my life: I didn't want to study medicine; I wanted to study journalism. Naturally, everyone in my family was against it, except for aaita. She not only supported me but also expressed excitement about my choice. As a writer herself, she was one of the few who encouraged me to pursue media studies.

My first desktop, laptop, DSLR, and editing system were all gifts from her. Her support, both emotional and financial, made my college life relatively easier. I'm sure many others would say the same about her, as she helped countless people around her.

Unknowingly, my career choice became sports management. It can't be a coincidence that her love for sports and her many tours as team manager for regional sports teams influenced my decision. I'm certain she was happy with my choice, even if not many in my family were. That early taste of event management with aaita eventually led me to be part of teams organizing India's biggest football tournaments and, more recently, the biggest tournaments in Asia. All the credit goes to her. Her support helped me gain the skills that made me who I am today, and her teachings shaped my personality.

The void she has left behind can never be filled. More importantly, her legacy will be hard for any of us to match. I am filled with gratitude and awe for Taru Das Kakati. May she rest in peace.