RIP: Bro. Aloysius Induar SDB (1944-2020)
Bro. Aloysius Induar SDB passed away suddenly or unexpectedly yesterday, 8 February 2020, at St. Augustine Hospital, Bongaigaon. Though he had been ailing for some years now, none of us expected this sad news. He had been in and out of the hospital the last few years. The many complications that he had had made him weaker and weaker day after day.
In June last year, we had celebrated the golden jubilee of Br. Aloysius in a very solemn way at his community of Barpeta Road. I presided over the Holy Eucharist, for which many confreres, religious and lay people, parishioners and well-wishers were present. Though he was weak and tired, he was very happy and cheerful. It was a celebration of the marvellous deeds worked by God in and through Br. Aloysius. It was also a celebration of Brother’s commitment and dedication as Salesian. His satisfaction and contentment were clearly seen, also because his dear ones were around him for this special celebration.
His Life and Vocation. Bro. Aloysius Induar was born on 1st January 1944, to Mrs. Philomena and Mr. Paulus Induar, at Baghmara village, in the diocese of Dibrugarh. He was the youngest of the four children, and the only son. His three elder sisters already passed away earlier.
After having joined the Salesians, he entered the novitiate at Sunnyside, Shillong on 23rd May 1968 and made his first profession as a Salesian Coadjutor Brother on 24th May 1969. He went on to embark religious life by totally surrendering to God through Perpetual Profession on 24th May 1975 at Sonada, Darjeeling. Before his perpetual he qualified himself in the field of technical studies at Calcutta (Kolkata). As a committed son and follower of Don Bosco, Br. Aloysius had dedicated his life to various missions and to a number of institutions in his more than 50 years of his service.
From 1969 to 1991, and from 2003 to 2004 Bro. Aloysius served at Don Bosco Technical School, Maligaon, Guwahati, where he had been teacher to so many youngsters, including our own confreres. It was here at Maligaon that Bro. Aloysius spent the longest time of his life and religious apostolate, that is, 23 years of his 50 years of religious life. He also spent considerable time at Tripura, pioneering the Salesian works in the state of Tripura. He served at the community of Mariam Nagar, Agartala, Tripura for four years: from 1991 to 1995, and at Bishramganj, Tripura for eight years: from 1995 to 2003. He also served as Warden in the community of Kumarikatta from 2004 to 2005. Then for two years he was at Snehalaya, Guwahati from 2005 to 2007 with the youth at risk, offering his love and expertise. There he was also incharge of the vocational training for the youngsters. Then he was appointed to the community of Doomni where he spent one year from 2007 to 2008, before he moved on to his last community of Barpeta. For 12 long years he was at Barpeta Road: from 2008 to 2020. He was incharge of the farm and other administrative activities before he became ill.
His Simplicity and Humility. What stands out from the life of Bro. Aloysius is his simplicity and humility. He never wanted to occupy big positions. He always wanted to play the second fiddle; he enjoyed being at backstage while at the same time encouraging so many confreres and youngsters in their education and offering them training in various aspects. He was a silent worker. He lived his commitment like St. Joseph, silently but effectively.
His Cheerfulness. But whatever he did was done cheerfully, and with a lot of heart. His cheerful presence was one way of living his Salesian vocation and charism. His closeness to Don Bosco and his values were seen by his joyful optimism. Even during his moments of suffering, Bro. Aloysius tried his best to be cheerful and joyful. We thank him for this beautiful example. May his soul rest in peace.
