Amrit Kumar Goldsmith is no more. He had been ailing for the last few years. On 10 April 2026 came the sad news of his passing. I do not clearly recall when our friendship began, but we shared many meaningful endeavours together.
Our bond grew stronger in response to contemporary challenges, especially after the authoritarian regime took shape in 2014. Even before that, we stood shoulder to shoulder whenever society faced a crisis. A communal conflict between the Rabha and Garo communities erupted in West Assam, particularly in Goalpara district and along the Assam-Meghalaya border, in late December 2010 and early January 2011. Mr. Goldsmith and I, along with a few others, visited the affected areas, spoke with victims, and initiated a peace dialogue between the two communities.
Before his illness, Mr. Goldsmith served as Secretary of the All Assam Christian Forum, representing all segments of the Christian community. He introduced me to its leading figures and facilitated my friendship with the respected nonagenarian, former Archbishop of Guwahati, Fr. Thomas Menamparampil, a leading light of the Christian community in the region.
In 2021, just before the Assam Assembly elections, an important meeting of Christian community leaders from various districts was held in Guwahati. Mr. Goldsmith invited me to attend and address the gathering on the importance of upholding secular ideals and constitutional values. That day, I was deeply moved by Fr. Thomas Menamparampil's eloquent speech on the basic tenets of our Constitution, delivered in a soft yet firm voice resonating with inner conviction. My friendship with Fr. Thomas was made possible only because of Mr. Goldsmith.
Mr. Goldsmith represented various Christian denominations in Axom Nagarik Samaj and was a valued member of its Core Committee. A few years ago, this tireless champion of positive causes suffered a severe stroke while accompanying Fr. Thomas on a peace-building mission to Nagaland. The stroke left him immobile and confined to his home, a heartbreaking turn for such an active soul.
Even in his illness, I would occasionally speak to him on the phone. He always responded warmly, "Mr. Malakar, how are you?" A few months ago, on 11 March 2025, while visiting Rev. Aziz-ul Haque, the former Pastor of Guwahati Baptist Church, I also met Mr. Goldsmith. He was visibly pleased to see me. That remains our last meeting.
I also remember the moving prayer meeting organised at the premises of Guwahati Baptist Church, Panbazar, immediately after the Easter attacks in Sri Lanka on 21 April 2019, in which nearly 270 people were killed. Many eminent church leaders spoke on the occasion, and I too addressed the gathering. We all prayed together and participated in a candlelight procession. Whenever such tragedies occurred, we condemned them. But Mr. Goldsmith would always gently say, "As Christians, we would like to pray not only for the victims but also for the perpetrators, so that good sense prevails upon them and they desist from such acts in future." I would often wonder how prayer could stop such dastardly attacks. Don't we need strong and stern administrative measures to contain them? Perhaps I was right in the immediate sense. Yet, what is the permanent solution to end violence? Lasting peace is possible only through a change of heart, and therein lies the profound influence of prayer that Mr. Goldsmith so deeply advocated and believed in.
Dear Mr. Goldsmith, you will always remain in our hearts. Any crisis in our society will remind us of you. Adieu, dear friend!