DHAKA, April 7, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) today announced a three-day morning at the death of its joint general secretary and valiant freedom fighter Rakhi Das Purkayastha who died of liver cirrhosis at an Indian hospital on Monday.
“Bangladesh Mahila Parishad central committee and all district units will observe a three-day morning to pay homage to the memories of Rakhi Das Purkayastha,” said a statement of BMP here.
Purkayastha breathed her last at 6.25pm on Monday at Apollo Hospitals in Guwahati, capital of Indian state of Assam, at the age of 68, the release said.
BMP and family sources said her body will be cremated at a Guwahati crematorium as it will be difficult to bring her body back home in the wake of worldwide deadly coronavirus outbreak that forced governments to declare lockdown and enforce ‘stay home’ directives shutting offices, schools and transports including domestic and international flights.
She is survived by her husband, relatives, a host of well-wishers and admirers. Veteran politician Pankaj Bhattacharya is her husband.
Purkayastha, a valiant freedom fighter, had played active role in different democratic and progressive movements of the country, said a press release of BMP.
She joined Mahila Parishad in 1976 and served different positions including Dhaka city unit’s general secretary and central committee organizing secretary.
She served as Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation Joint Secretary and joined law profession after her retirement from the corporation.
During her student life, she was involved with Bangladesh Chhatra Union. She was elected vice-president (VP) of Eden College Students’ Union for three consecutive terms and later she was also elected VP of Shamsun Nahar Hall Students Union of Dhaka University.
Mahila Parishad expressed profound shock at her death and conveyed deep sympathy to bereaved family and prayed for salvation of departed soul.