RAMESH CHANDRA SAHARIA

Ramesh Chandra Saharia was born on December 1, 1930, into a family of rich traditions. As an infant, he received the blessings of the esteemed Mahatma Gandhi. When Gandhiji visited Tangla, a small railway station twenty miles from Mangaldai's sub-divisional headquarters, Ramesh's father, Shri Lambodar Saharia, approached him with baby Ramesh in his arms. Gandhiji, in a gesture of kindness, cradled baby Ramesh, gave him a sweet, a kiss, a rupee coin from his collection, and blessed him. True to Gandhiji's blessings, Ramesh grew up to be an exceedingly courteous boy and later transformed into a thorough gentleman. Known for his pleasing personality, kind-heartedness, and amiable nature, Shri Saharia was highly respected by friends, colleagues, and co-workers, coupled with a rare sense of understanding.

Maintaining a consistently excellent academic record since his school days, Sri Saharia earned his Bachelor's degree from Cotton College, Guwahati, and pursued his M.A. in Economics and LLB from the Banaras Hindu University. A dedicated reader and collector of books, journals, and magazines, Shri Saharia amassed a valuable library that is now an integral part of the College Library.

Despite his impressive educational qualifications, Shri Saharia chose to become a teacher at the Tangla Aided Government High School, driven by a commitment to serve the community to which he belonged. He served as the Headmaster of Tangla High School for fourteen years before entering the State Legislative Assembly as an MLA from the Panery constituency in 1972. During this period, he dedicated much of his time to developing educational institutions and providing social services in the backward tribal areas of Tangla in the northern part of the Mangaldai sub-division, now in Udalguri District. Shri Saharia played a key role in establishing the Tangla Girls High School, co-founding Tangla College, and serving as the President of the Managing Committee and Governing Body.

Re-elected as an MLA for a second term in 1978, Shri Saharia continued contributing to the development and planning of socio-economic programs, including revenue and land reforms. On September 17, 1979, he became a Minister in the Ministry headed by Shri Jogendra Nath Hazarika, overseeing the Departments of Forest, Sericulture and Weaving, and Khadi & Village Industries. He served a second term as Minister for Home, Jail, Civil Defense, and Political Suffrage in the Ministry, which took the oath on December 6, 1980. Shri Saharia was sworn in as Minister of Revenue on January 22, 1982.

Shri Saharia passed away on February 8, 1982, dedicated to his duties with a profound sense of devotion. He devoted his life to the state's development, leaving a lasting legacy. The State Government paid tribute to him, stating, "Shri Saharia will always be remembered for his amiable disposition, devotion to duty, deep sense of responsibility, and love and affection for the people. His death has deprived his colleagues of his valuable counsel and the State of an able administrator."