Tarun Gogoi (1936-2020)

Tarun Gogoi was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of the northeastern state of Assam for three consecutive terms from 2001 to 2016. Born on October 1, 1936, in Rangajan Tea Estate in Jorhat district of Assam, Gogoi was a member of the Indian National Congress party.

Gogoi completed his education at Jorhat Government Boys School and Jorhat Jagannath Barooah College. He went on to study at Gauhati University, where he obtained a degree in law. He began his career as a lawyer, practicing in the Gauhati High Court and the Supreme Court of India.

In 1971, Gogoi joined the Indian National Congress party and contested the parliamentary elections from Jorhat constituency in Assam. Although he lost the election, he was appointed as the General Secretary of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee. He continued to hold various positions in the party and was eventually elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament, in 1971. He served as a member of the Lok Sabha for five terms from 1971 to 1985 and again from 1991 to 1996.

In 1996, Gogoi was appointed as the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries in the government of Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. He was later elevated to the position of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Food Processing Industries in 1997.

Gogoi returned to state politics in 2001 when he was elected as the Chief Minister of Assam, defeating the incumbent Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. He went on to serve as the Chief Minister for three consecutive terms until 2016. During his tenure as Chief Minister, Gogoi implemented various policies and initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth, improving infrastructure, and tackling insurgency and terrorism in the state.

One of Gogoi's major achievements as Chief Minister was the successful implementation of the Assam Accord, a historic agreement between the Government of India and the leaders of the Assam Movement, which sought to end the six-year-long Assam Agitation and address the issues of illegal immigration from Bangladesh. Gogoi also launched several welfare schemes for the poor and marginalized communities in the state, including the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which aimed to provide employment opportunities to the rural population.

Gogoi was a strong advocate for peace and reconciliation in the region and played a key role in initiating peace talks with various insurgent groups in the state. He also worked towards improving ties with neighboring countries, particularly Bangladesh, with the aim of promoting regional cooperation and economic development.

Gogoi was a popular leader in Assam and was widely respected for his commitment to public service and his efforts to bring about positive change in the state. He was known for his simple and unassuming lifestyle and was often seen traveling by public transport and interacting with people from all walks of life.

Gogoi was also a prolific writer and authored several books on a range of topics, including politics, society, and culture. His books, which were written in both Assamese and English, reflected his deep knowledge and understanding of the region and its people.

Gogoi passed away on November 23, 2020, at the age of 84 due to post-COVID-19 complications. His death was widely mourned by people across the political spectrum and by the people of Assam, who remembered him as a visionary leader and a true son of the soil. Gogoi's contribution to the development of Assam and the northeast region of India will always be remembered, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of leaders to come.