Bhumidhar Barman

Early life and education

Bhumidhar Barman was born on 12 October 1931 to the late Bhakat Ram Barman and the late Mathupriya Barman in Belsor. He passed his matriculation from Tihu High School in 1951.{{cite news |last1=Alex |first1=Todd |title=Bhumidhar Barman turns 80...the oldest minister in the cabinet.

Political career

He joined Indian National Congress in 1967 and got elected from then west Nalbari constituency and again in 1972. He again was elected in 1983 but for Dharmapur. After Hiteshwar Saikia's death, he was made Chief Minister for a serving of twenty two days before being succeeded by Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. He was again elected to the Assembly in 1991 for Barkherty and again in 2001 until 2016. Barman was made a minister many times throughout his career. Barman was the oldest member in the council of ministers of Assam in 2010. He was made acting Chief Minister when Tarun Gogoi was hospitalised in Mumbai for heart surgery.

Personal life

Barman married Malati Barman and they had 1 son and 3 daughters. His daughters are Dipali Barman, Reena Barman Kalita and Rita Barman Hazarika. His son Diganta Barman contested for the Barkherty seat in 2016 but lost. However he won in 2021.

Death

Barman had been admitted to Dispur Hospital on March 13. He had been suffering for chronic kidney disease and other heart issues. He was put into the ICU under ventilation. Senior congress leaders such as Rispun Bora visited him.

Barman died at 6:23 pm 18 April 2021. Many politicians such as Narendra Modi, Venkaiah Naidu, Sarbananda Sonowal, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Ripun Bora, Keshab Mahanta, Debabrata Saikia, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Chandra Mohan Patowary, Jitendra Singh, Abdul Khalque, Pradyut Bordoloi, Bhupen Kumar Borah, Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal all paid tribute.

The State Government declared a three-day state mourning period where the national flag was flown half-mast in all offices where it was flown regularly and no official entertainment was held.

Assam police gave a 21-gun salute to the Congress stalwart at the funeral which was attended by Sarbananda Sonowal, Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Ripun Bora, Barman's son Diganta and other politicians. Diganta performed his last rites with all family members present. The body of Barman was brought to his village in a vehicle decorated with flowers. Before bringing the body to his native village, Barman's body was taken to Assam Legislative Assembly where Cabinet minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Chief Secretary Jishnu Barua and DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta paid tributes to Barman. His body was next taken to the congress headquarters, Nalbari deputy commissioner's office and Rajiv Bhawan where people paid tribute to the Chief minister.

References

References

1. (18 April 2021). "Veteran Cong Leader Bhumidhar Barman Passes Away". Pratidintime.
2. [http://assamassembly.gov.in/cm-list.html Assam Legislative Assembly - Chief Minister of Assam since 1937]
3. [http://assamassembly.nic.in/many%20times.html NUMBER OF TERMS ELECTED Assam Legislative Assembly Website]
4. [http://www.assamtimes.org/social/4441.html Bhumidhar Barman turns 80...the oldest minister in the cabinet.] {{webarchive. link. (14 September 2011)
5. "Pranab Gogoi elected speaker of Assam".
6. "Who's Who".
7. "Assam Legislative Assembly - MLA 1972-78".
8. "Assam Legislative Assembly - MLA 1983-85".
9. (2015-01-27). "Portfolios allocated to new Assam Ministers". The Hindu.
10. Desk, Sentinel Digital. (2021-04-19). "Former Assam Chief Minister Dr Bhumidhar Barman no more - Sentinelassam".
11. Desk, Sentinel Digital. (2021-04-03). "Diganta Barman from Barkhetry: Early Life, Controversy & Political Career - Sentinelassam".
12. Mukut Das. (21 April 2021). "Ex-CM Bhumidhar Barman cremated with full state honours {{!}} Guwahati News - Times of India".
13. EastMojo, Team. (2021-04-07). "Ex-Assam CM Dr Bhumidhar Barman in ICU: Congress".
14. Hemanta Kumar Nath. (18 April 2021). "Former Assam CM Bhumidhar Barman passes away".
15. Vice President of India. (18 April 2021). "Pained by the demise of former Chief Minister of Assam Shri Bhumidhar Barman. My sincere condolences to his family and supporters.".
16. Jitendra Singh Alwar. (18 April 2021). "Heartfelt condolences to the family of Ex-CM Dr. Bhumidhar Barman ji. May his soul rest in peace. https://t.co/B9MKa6iVhk".
17. "Very saddened to know about demise of Dr Bhumidhar Barman, former Chief Minister. Seven time MLA, He represented Barkhetri, Pashchim Nalbari, and Dharmapur in Assam Legislative Assembly. He was a Minister in Sarat Chandra Sinha, Hiteswar Saikia and Tarun Gogoi Ministry.".
18. Pradyut Bordoloi. (18 April 2021). "Deeply saddened to hear the demise of our Former Chief Minister of #Assam Dr Bhumidhar Barman. He was a true statesman. My deepest condolences to his family. https://t.co/2ZG6EBlZNe".
19. Bhupen kumar Borah. (25 April 2021). "Today, visited late Dr.Bhumidhar Barman house at Belsar in Nalbari district; offered floral tribute to him and extended my condolences to his son Sri Diganta Barman and his family. https://t.co/UONjT53cJK".
20. Maulana Badruddin Ajmal. (18 April 2021). "Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of former Assam Chief Minister of Dr Bhumidhar Barman this evening. Seven time MLA, a successful Cabinet Minister, seasoned politician, Dr Barman has filled many caps. My sincere condolences to Diganta and his family.".
21. Desk, Sentinel Digital. (2021-04-20). "Rich tributes paid to former Assam CM Dr Bhumidhar Barman - Sentinelassam".