Pahalgam terror attack: Final farewells to Kolkata man at his beloved Durga mandap

KOLKATA: When the coffin of 56-year-old Samir Guha , a senior statistical officer of the central government, reached his Sakherbazar Chanditala residence in Kolkata on Wednesday night, his family laid him on the Durga mandap of his beloved Bijoy Sangha Club , located right opposite his flat. Guha lost his life in the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday.

"For the last six years, Guha made this mandap his home. Whether it be Durga puja or Kali puja , he arranged puja items, getting up early in the morning and starting arrangements that continued late into the night. He was the first to join us during the collection of puja subscriptions. It is only natural that we bid him the final farewell at this beloved spot," said Swapan Das, a senior club functionary.

Guha's body reached his home in Behala at 9.10pm. About half an hour later, the hearse departed for Keoratala crematorium . For Guha's wife Sabari and daughter Subhangi (17), who witnessed the horrific incident, life has come to a standstill. Subhangi, who sat for her class XII boards this year, was seen staying close to her father's coffin. She barely uttered a word.

Subhangi's maternal uncle, Subrata Ghosh, recalled, "Even on Tuesday morning, Sabari made a video call to my mother. She said they were moving towards Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, the last stop in their itinerary. They sounded so relaxed, as well as excited."