People usually join politics to further their interests, but if someone were to embrace it with integrity, there is no better field of activity for service and constructive work. I never wanted to enter politics I was compelled by people to take the plunge. Now that I had entered politics, I wanted to keep it separate from business. At present, I sponsor the education of 96 students, taking care of their needs on an annual basis as well.ħ.4 When I joined politics on December 26,1994, the very next day I surrendered my two trading licenses at the DC office. I have always used my wealth to help the poor, the helpless, orphaned and needy. But I have never displayed any conceit about it. I say with pride that I am a self-made man. I have always believed that my duty lies in the protection of humanity and service of the poor. God is my witness that I have never considered wealth, bungalows, cars, servants, power and position as an entitlement. I had become a crorepati in my student life itself but I was never arrogant on that account. I have a small house in Khupa, built in the 1990s with a personal loan from the State Bank of India, Tinsukia, and a house in Hayuliang, constructed with a personal loan from the State Bank of India, Tezu.ħ.2 Before becoming an MLA, I owned a saw-cum-veneer mill as well, which brought me an annual income of Rs 46 lakh. Despite the fact that I have worked in one or other ministerial position for 23 years, I have not added a single room to that house. By the time I reached Class XI-XII, I owned a Gypsy and four trucks which I ploughed into my work.ħ.1 By the time I reached college, my business had expanded considerably – I had my own conveyance, servants and also a small RCC house with three rooms. Being a contractor – My very first job as a contractor involved the construction of one OBT house for Rs 400, after which I built many roads, government housing and bridges. For this I earned a monthly income of Rs 212.ħ. The job required me to raise the national flag at 5 am and lower it at 5 pm. ![]() When I was attending day school, between Class VI and VIII, I took up casual employment, studying during the day and working as a chowkidar at night. Seeing my hard work and dedication, the school administration put me through a test and admitted me directly into class VI. Along with my carpentry work I managed to study at the adult education centre, Walla. Education – During childhood I was unable to attend day school regularly. I have kept those tools of carpentry with me to this day.Ħ. Trapped in poverty and helplessness I have laboured as a carpenter for a daily wage of Rs 1.50, earning Rs 45 per month. As a child I walked miles to collect firewood from the forest for one meal. I learnt to face the challenges of life from childhood itself, be it for bread or for my rights. That which is mine today, was someone else’s yesterdayīut change should be according to rule and in the right manner.ĥ. The clothes one wears, the possessions in one’s house, money, wealth, cars, land, power and position – the things over which we fight to establish our right – do not belong to me in any way. I know well that there is nothing in this world that is mine – apart from one’s body, that is. I have always looked at life as a mirror reflecting truth.Ĥ. In the process he forgets the eternal truth that he is merely a soul. He is ever prepared to kill or be killed for these things. But today’s human is increasingly losing sight of this reality. When a human is born, he does not bring with him a name, caste, religion, community, language, region, wealth, property. If every individual could truly understand that, there would never be any strife in the name of religion, caste, distinctions of high and low, rich and poor, nor any battles over wealth, land, property, power and prestige.ģ. ![]() I believe that every individual comes out of his mother’s womb without anything, and departs the same way. I came into this world alone and I will leave this world alone. I have always been deprived of the love of parents and family.Ģ. When I was six, my father, too, passed away. But the death of my mother, when I was 13-months-old, deprived me of her sheltering love. For most people, the love and care of parents is a given as is the learning and wisdom imbibed from them. My destiny had harsh misfortunes written in it from birth itself. All my life I have faced adversity and endured wrenching sorrow on many an occasion I have triumphed over my tribulations, too. Birth – I was born into a poor, backward family. The Hindi original may be accessed at The Wire ‘s Hindi siteġ. The first page of Kalikho Pul’s farewell note
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