Ellora Roychoudhury
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Ellora Roychoudhury | |
|---|---|
 Ellora Roychoudhury | |
| Born | 1 April 1969 Mangaldai, Assam, India |
| Died | 15 May 2003 (aged 34) Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Education | Bachelor's degree, Diploma in Textile Technology |
| Occupation(s) | Social worker, Activist |
| Known for | First woman from Northeast India to donate eyes and body posthumously. |
| Website | https://elloravigyan.in |
| Signature | |
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Ellora Roychoudhury (Assamese: ইলোৰা ৰায়চৌধুৰী; 1 April 1969 – 15 May 2003) was an Indian social worker, activist, and the first woman from Northeast India to posthumously donate her eyes and body.[1][2][3][4][5][6] In her memory, the organization Ellora Vigyan Mancha was established to promote scientific temper and combat superstition and blind beliefs.[7]
Early life and education
[edit]Ellora Roychoudhury was born on 1 April 1969 at Mangaldoi, Darrang district, Assam to Hemanta Roychoudhury, a descendant of Ambikagiri Roychoudhury and Bina Roychoudhury. Her family had a strong legacy of social and cultural contributions.[8]
Ellora completed her early education at Juroram Pathak Girls' High School in Barpeta and later enrolled in Tarini Charan Chaudhury Girls' Higher Secondary School in Guwahati, where she completed her higher secondary examinations in 1985. She graduated with a degree in science from Arya Vidyapeeth College in 1987 and later earned a diploma in Textile Technology Engineering. In 1995, she completed her bachelor's degree from Handique Girls' College. In March 1993, Ellora began her career as a demonstrator at the Assam Textile Institute.
Activism
[edit]Ellora Roychoudhury was involved in progressive and democratic student movements from her school days. During the Assam Agitation (1979–1985), she faced numerous challenges and persecution from extremist nationalist and separatist groups. In 1985, she became a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and later joined the All India Democratic Women's Association after her marriage.[8]
She played a pivotal role in promoting women's literacy and empowerment. In Guwahati's Hedayetpur area, she established a literacy center and tirelessly worked to educate underprivileged women. Ellora was also an active member and leader of the Assam State Employees' Federation.[8]
Personal life
[edit]In 1994, Ellora married social worker Isfaqur Rahman. The couple had a son, Susmit Isfaq, born in 1997.
Death and Legacy
[edit]
Ellora Roychoudhury died on 15 May 2003 at the age of 34 after battling cancer. Her decision to donate her eyes and body posthumously became a groundbreaking act in Assam and the Northeast, where such practices were relatively uncommon. Inspired by an article she read about posthumous body and organ donation, Ellora signed her last will on 17 March 2003, donating her body to the Gauhati Medical College for medical research.[1][7][8] Hours after her death, her eyes were donated to the Sankaradeva Netralaya in Guwahati, with the consent of her husband, Isfaqur Rahman.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "A life less ordinary ends with noble gesture". Archived from the original on 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ "Body donor?s family carries out last wish". Archived from the original on 2024-12-20. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ "GMCH leads by Ellora example". Archived from the original on 2024-12-19. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ কৰ্মদল, ‘মুক্ত চিন্তা’ৰ (2015-06-30). "সাক্ষাৎকাৰ : ড° অনিমা গুহৰ দৃষ্টিৰে ড° অমলেন্দু গুহ". মুক্ত চিন্তা. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ "First Muslim body donor in Assam". The Hindu. 2011-05-17. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ "First Muslim body donor in Assam". www.itnnews.co.in. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ a b "Home". Ellora Vigyan Mancha. 2024-07-07. Retrieved 2025-01-31.
- ^ a b c d e অনন্যা ইলোৰা [The Unparalleled Ellora] (in Assamese). নিখিল ভাৰত গণতান্ত্ৰিক মহিলা সমিতি. June 2003.