Sakherbazar’s Durga mandap farewell for para puja organiser

Kolkata: When the coffin of 56-year-old Samir Guha, a senior central govt statistical officer, reached Sakherbazar Chanditala on Wednesday, the Guha family laid him on the Durga mandap of his beloved Bijoy Sangha Club, located right opposite his flat. Guha lost his life in the terror attack at Pahalgam on Tuesday.
"For the last six years, Guha used to make this mandap his home during the festivals. Whether it be Durga Puja or Kali Puja, he arranged puja items, getting up early in the morning and starting arrangements that continued late into the night. He was the first to join us during collection of puja subscriptions. It is natural that we bid him the final farewell at this spot," said Swapan Das, a club functionary.

Besides 15 members from the locality, several of Guha's colleagues turned up at Sakherbazar, and accompanied the hearse to the crematorium. They could not help recalling Guha's impact on their careers. A colleague, Rajat Sen, said, "He was polite and humble. Whether it was a problem at home or at work, I could always approach him. I always found him by my side."
At 9.10 pm, Guha's body arrived at his home in Behala. About half an hour later, around 9.42 pm, the hearse departed for the Keoratala crematorium. His body reached the crematorium around 10 pm.
For Guha's wife Sabari and daughter Subhangi (17), who witnessed the horrific incident, life has come to a standstill. Subhangi, who sat for her class XII boards this year, was seen staying close to her father's coffin ever since her arrival in Kolkata. However, she barely uttered a word.
Both mother and daughter chose not to go to Keoratala crematorium on Wednesday night, with relatives worried about their mental and physical health. As a steady stream of relatives and friends reached their first-floor flat, the only time the mother and daughter stepped out was to go to a doctor. They boarded the auto in silence, and Subhangi's uncle Subrata Ghosh requested the media "to leave them alone in this hour of grief".
Sabari, though, attended to some calls even as the main gate remained locked to protect the family from "prying eyes". Among those who visited her, few could hold back their tears. "Please understand their situation. Just look at them. I am leaving as I cannot bear seeing Shuvangi like this any longer," said one of them.
Guha's parents have passed away, and his brother is posted at Raipur. "Even on Tuesday morning, Sabari made a video call to my mother. She said they were moving towards Baisaran Valley, the last stop in their itinerary. They sounded so relaxed, as well as excited," recalled Ghosh.