Assam Foundation of North America (AFNA) lost one of its most trusted friend and partner in Assam with the untimely passing away of Mr. Kaushik Das, the founder of Atma Nirbhar ek Challenge. We had a very close relationship with Mr. Das, not only with the activities around Atma Nirbhar and Spreading Sunshine but also with several other projects of AFNA that he provided his support for – like Support a child, Soles for Tots, Guwahati Walk and Run, Friends magazine and the list goes on. 

Our relationship extended far beyond these activities as several of our members developed close friendship with him over the years and felt a sense of fulfillment for being able to be associated with these projects that he almost single-handedly managed with such humility and a selfless attitude. Thus, he not only gave a dignified livelihood to the disabled people thru Atma Nirbhar but also helped able bodies like the volunteers of AFNA to lead a meaningful life by opening up and facilitating avenues to help the disabled people, underprivileged children and to spread joy and happiness among them through the Spreading Sunshine initiative.
With his demise on the fateful morning of January 17th, he has left us all in darkness, to fulfill so many of his dreams and plans that he had shared with his friends and well wishers.
Along with his relatives, the Atma Nirbhar family and numerous friends and well-wishers around the world we deeply mourn his untimely demise and pray that his soul rest in eternal peace. May the  memories of the cherished moments that we spent with him, talking to him or reading his inspiring emails give us the strength to bear this insurmountable loss and guide us to work towards carrying on his mission to give a dignified life to the disabled and the underprivileged.