At present, I sponsor the education of 96 students, taking care of their needs on an annual basis as well.

The first page of Kalikho Puls farewell note The Wire Staff Politics 11Feb2020 Note: This article was first published on February 8, 2017 and is being republished on February 11, 2020 in light of Kalikho Puls son being found dead under suspicious circumstances.

My destiny had harsh misfortunes written in it from birth itself.

For most people, the love and care of parents is a given as is the learning and wisdom imbibed from them.

But the death of my mother, when I was 13-months-old, deprived me of her sheltering love.

I have always been deprived of the love of parents and family.

I believe that every individual comes out of his mothers womb without anything, and departs the same way.

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.

But todays human is increasingly losing sight of this reality.

In the process he forgets the eternal truth that he is merely a soul.

The clothes one wears, the possessions in ones 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.

But change should be according to rule and in the right manner.

As a child I walked miles to collect firewood from the forest for one meal.

Trapped in poverty and helplessness I have laboured as a carpenter for a daily wage of Rs 1.50, earning Rs 45 per month.

Along with my carpentry work I managed to study at the adult education centre, Walla.

Seeing my hard work and dedication, the school administration put me through a test and admitted me directly into class VI.

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.

The job required me to raise the national flag at 5 am and lower it at 5 pm.

By the time I reached Class XI-XII, I owned a Gypsy and four trucks which I ploughed into my work.

Apart from this 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.

I had become a crorepati in my student life itself but I was never arrogant on that account.

God is my witness that I have never considered wealth, bungalows, cars, servants, power and position as an entitlement.

I have always believed that my duty lies in the protection of humanity and service of the poor.

I have always used my wealth to help the poor, the helpless, orphaned and needy.

Deathnote In Hindi