English: Existence of tea in Assam tempted the British to conquer the region and develop the Indian tea Industry from its infancy. They were very clever businessmen. Inspite of their imperialistic outlook they knew how to keep good relations with the neighbouring people inhabiting around their tea estates. They also made friendship with local aristocrats and nobles. Maniram Dewan, the first Indian tea planter, who had been credited for discovery of tea in Assam as well by Samuel Baildon in his book "Tea in Assam", was very friendly with both the Bruce brothers, whom the world recognizes as discoverers of tea in India. Before opening his two tea gardens Maniram Dewan served the first joint stock tea company of India, Assam Company, for six years as a land agent. Later on, of course, Maniram Dewan faced many obstacles created by the British planters and their rulers in opening his tea gardens. Finally he was hanged to death as a freedom fighter in 1858 for his role in the Sepoy Mutiny. His execution served as a lesson to the other local tea planters. They learnt that they could not go against the rulers if they wanted to succeed in tea plantation.

The Journey of Assam Tea continued with the active participation of many Assamese Tea planters such as Deshabhakta Tarun Ram Phookan , Prasanna Kumar Barooah ,Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bardaloi, Benudhar Rajkhowa , Rai Bahadur Heramba Prasad Barooah, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Parbati Prasad Baruva, Rohini Kumar Baruah ,first graduate tea planter Jagannath Barooah.

Late Hemendra Prasad Barooah had carried this legacy till his last breath.

His sudden demise in Bangkok is a loss to Assam.

Today I had got the opportunity to pay homage to the departed soul in the cremation hall of Shree Vishnu Temple , which was started in the year 1915. Shree Vishnu Temple is very powerful and effective centre of linking the two societies (Hindu and Buddhist ) in Thailand enthusing common cultural and religious brotherhood.

The last rite was performed in presence of his daughter and grandson.

I was very fortunate to offer him a “গামোছা” in his last journey and it is a unique experience of participating in cremation of an Assamese person in foreign soil.

May his departed soul rest in peace ….