Padma Shri awardee from Assam; Gandhian Shakuntala Choudhary dies at the age of 102
Padma Shri awardee Shakuntala Choudhury, a 102-year-old Gandhian from Assam, has passed away. She was battling many diseases for a long time. She was undergoing treatment for the last 10 years. She breathed his last on Sunday night. This information was given by the caretaker who had been living with her at the Sarania Ashram in Assam for decades. “Her body has been kept at the ashram to pay tribute to her well wishers and her last rites will be performed with full state honors at Nabagraha crematorium today,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoles the death of Gandhian Shakuntala
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the death of Padma Shri awardee Gandhian Shakuntala Choudhary. Taking to his Twitter handle, PM Modi tweeted, “Shakuntala Choudhary will be remembered for her lifelong efforts to promote Gandhian values. Her noble work at Saraniya Ashram has positively influenced the lives of many people.
The Prime Minister further said, I am saddened by her demise. My condolences to her family and countless fans. om Shanti.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted saying
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted on the death of Gandhian Shakuntala Chowdhury saying, “Deeply saddened by the passing away of veteran Gandhian and Padma Shri Shakuntala Choudhary.” He further said, Her life was dedicated to selfless service, truth, simplicity and non-violence at Sarania Ashram, Guwahati, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed in 1946. My prayers for her salvation Om Shanti!
State cabinet ministers Keshab Mahanta and Ranoj Pegu paid floral tributes on behalf of the state government to the mortal remains of Shakuntala Choudhary at Saraniya Ashram.
About Gandhian Shakuntala Choudhary
Gandhian Shakuntala Choudhary was born in Guwahati. She was affectionately called as Shakuntala Baideva (elder sister). She was a promising student since childhood and later became a teacher. It was also around this time that she came in contact with another Gandhian during her stint at the TC School in Guwahati. Amalprova Das, his father, had donated his Sarania Hills property for the establishment of the ashram.
The highlight of her life was her close association with Vinoba Bhave and her active participation in a one-and-a-half year padayatra in Assam during the last phase of his famous Bhudan movement. She was part of his crew and as an interpreter, she conveyed his message to the people in Assamese.
Bhave took the initiative to promote the Devanagari script among people from different linguistic groups with his own script, and asked her to start a monthly magazine Asomiya Vishwa Nagri. Choudhary was also at the forefront of Gaw Slaughter Satyagraha, Stree Shakti Jagran started by Bhave in 1978 and also served as Trustee of KGNMT at national level.
