Udalguri, June 18: The Adya Shraddha (first memorial death ritual) of National Award-winning teacher, eminent social worker and educationist Nareshwar Deka will be observed on June 18 with due religious rites and community participation.
Deka, a resident of Jyoti Nagar under Ward No. 4 in Udalguri, passed away at his residence on June 6 at around 3:45 am at the age of 93. His death marked the end of a distinguished chapter in the educational, social, literary and cultural history of the Udalguri region.
Born on November 19, 1933, in Rangamati village under the Mangaldai subdivision of the then undivided Darrang district, Deka was the son of late Kabiram Deka and late Lakheswari Deka.
After passing the Middle English School examination in 1949, he joined Mangaldai Government High School. In 1954, he cleared the Teachers’ Selection Examination and was appointed as an assistant teacher at Udalguri Town Primary School. He was later promoted to Headmaster and served in that capacity until his retirement on November 30, 1996, completing an illustrious teaching career spanning 42 years.
Throughout his career, Deka actively participated in various educational programmes and attended the All India Teachers’ Conferences held in Bombay in 1958 and Delhi in 1984. He also played a prominent role in teachers’ organisations and cooperative institutions, serving as Secretary of the Udalguri Primary Teachers’ Cooperative Savings Bank from 1968 to 1996 and holding key positions in teachers’ associations at the district and state levels.
His contribution to education earned him several honours, including a Government of India medal for his role in the 1971 Census, the Assam Government’s State Best Teacher Award in 1989 and the prestigious National Best Teacher Award on September 5, 1992.
Beyond academics, Deka made significant contributions to literature, journalism, business and social service. He founded the weekly newspaper Seemanta Prahari through his own Lakshmi Press and established Monidip Book Stall, later known as Moni Prakash, which emerged as an important literary and educational centre in the region.
Inspired by the teachings of Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva, Deka devoted himself to religious and cultural activities and held leadership roles in several institutions, including the Srimanta Sankardeva Satra Management Committee, Bishnu Rabha Kristi Sangha, Darrang-Udalguri Satra Society and Barpeta Satra.
Widely admired for his humility, wisdom and commitment to public service, Deka remained actively involved in community affairs even after retirement. His birthday was publicly celebrated at his residence in 2018 in recognition of his lifelong contributions.
Remembered as a simple yet extraordinary personality, Nareshwar Deka leaves behind a rich legacy of educational excellence, social commitment and moral leadership that continues to inspire generations across Assam.
