The Science Teacher Turned Firefighter Going Strong At 57

Meet Lachit Chandra Baruah, 57, a firefighter from Assam who is still going strong and determined to never give up his passion for fitness. 

The news had made headlines. On June 12, 2020, Baghjan Oil Field in Tinsukia District, Assam caught fire due to oil leakage. Among the firefighters battling the deadly blaze was a former science teacher turned firefighter, Lachit Chandra Baruah, 57. When Baruah and his team reached the scene, everything within 200 metres of the leaking well was in ashes. At least 10 to 12 houses were completely gutted. The team worked round the clock to bring the fire under control and contain the spread with the help of experts from Alert Disaster Control, Singapore and ONGC. Unfortunately, Baruah lost two of his colleagues and five villagers while fighting the ablaze.

Fit and active enough to give steep competition to any youngster in swimming, climbing, long jump and driving, Baruah is prompt and on his toes to get ready for work, be it in the wee morning hours of 5 AM in shivering winters or at 2 PM in the scorching summers. An operating firefighter serving in the Indian Oil Corporation Fire Service Department, Digboi, Assam for the last 21 years, Baruah loves his job and is still going strong.

Baruah does not consider life risk to be the major challenge of his missions. “The outrage of the panicking civilians who want the situation to be under control immediately, stone pelting at the firemen, civilians breaking cars and fire engines out of agitation happen to be some of the challenges that act as barriers and delay our process of controlling the fire,” he told Silver Talkies about what concerns him the most when he is at a fire breakout spot.

Of the several missions that Baruah has led in his long career as a firefighter, he recalls an incident in 2003 when militants from the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) carried out a series of attacks, setting fire to a 5,000 KL petrol tank at the famous Digboi Refinery, blasting a gas pipeline nearby. “The fire continued to burn for 10 days non-stop. My team and I were engaged in controlling the fire, helping the local residents vacate the place and shifting them to relief camps,” he says.

What brought him to this risky profession? Baruah says it’s his passion for fitness. Baruah, who has been and is still a fitness freak, joined fire services as it promised to keep him fit even during his silver years. He continues to be an avid swimmer, a great climber and excellent in the long jump.

Prior to joining the fire services, Baruah worked at the Workshop Department in Indian Oil Corporation. Before that, he served as a science teacher in a village school.

A family man, Baruah loves spending time with his children and grandchildren

Interestingly, Baruah never let his work pressure jeopardise his family life. He has been a doting father to his four children, taking care of their education and supporting them in every phase of life. He is extremely fond of his village and gives equal time and commitment to taking care of paddy fields and socially connecting with the villagers as much as he commits to his job.

Baruah considers his family to be his rock. “My family has supported my commitment and service to the community from the very first day. They dealt with my unpredictable schedules, physical and emotional demands and the inherent dangers of the job with lots of encouragement and a big smile. They have always remained prepared to deal with the worst and have always been caring not just about me but also about my larger fire service family,” says Baruah.

Baruah will retire in 2024 and his post-retirement plans are all ready. He loves rearing cattle and farming, hence, he plans to enjoy his post-retirement days in his village home surrounded by pet dogs, a pond full of fish and the dream of making a small tea garden. He also wants to become a member of the local community club in his village to bring up and address the social issues there.

Kitchen gardening is a passionate hobby for him. “The concept of active ageing lies in one’s mental and physical health. I love to keep myself engaged in physical activities. That’s what my job demands as well. Additionally, I love attending social events to stay mentally fit. It is very important to socialise as that makes one feel comfortable helps to have a positive outlook towards life during one’s silver years,” he says.