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We are grieving as we share the news of our dear friend Prasanta Kumar Arukha’s untimely demise on 25 January 2022. 25-year-old Prasanta was a PhD scholar of Philosophy in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Guwahati, and lived in Kapili Hostel. He hailed from Kaptipada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
He honed himself as an outstanding student of Philosophy, braving difficult socio-economic odds and an Odia-medium education from a small-town college. He had recently topped the Odisha State Selection Board exam for lectureship and was delighted to become a teacher soon––a passion he lived every day. The philosopher and teacher in Prasanta also amazed us with his paintings, poems, and sportsman spirit. Above all, we miss his ever-present smile, humility, eloquence, and calmness with friends, faculty, and colleagues.
As we sigh over and struggle to accept Prasanta’s departure, we are deeply concerned about his parents, who were entirely dependent on his PhD scholarship. Prasanta’s father migrated to work as a cook in the city. But he returned to the village at Prasanta’s insistence to not leave his mother alone. With his sudden demise, not only the hope of brighter days has shattered, but also the only means of family support has been effaced.
He honed himself as an outstanding student of Philosophy, braving difficult socio-economic odds and an Odia-medium education from a small-town college. He had recently topped the Odisha State Selection Board exam for lectureship and was delighted to become a teacher soon––a passion he lived every day. The philosopher and teacher in Prasanta also amazed us with his paintings, poems, and sportsman spirit. Above all, we miss his ever-present smile, humility, eloquence, and calmness with friends, faculty, and colleagues.
As we sigh over and struggle to accept Prasanta’s departure, we are deeply concerned about his parents, who were entirely dependent on his PhD scholarship. Prasanta’s father migrated to work as a cook in the city. But he returned to the village at Prasanta’s insistence to not leave his mother alone. With his sudden demise, not only the hope of brighter days has shattered, but also the only means of family support has been effaced.
In this dire time and situation, we urge you to come forward and contribute generously to support the family who has lost their only son, their hope, pride, and joy.
May Prasanta rest eternally in sweet slumber.
