Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Devasish Sharma’s Mumbai Legacy: Cancer Care and Community Service
Devasish Sharma worked at Assam Bhawan in Navi Mumbai, a place where people from Assam could stay.
Some people travelled to Mumbai to get cancer treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital.
Sharma helped them find places to stay, meals and rides.
He started an organisation called Deepsikha to support people with cancer.
During the Covid lockdown in 2020, he helped stranded patients travel by bus back to Assam.
He went with them on the long trip.
Sharma also helped people from Assam in Mumbai celebrate festivals together.
His work connected the Assamese community in Mumbai with their home state.
Former IAS officer Devasish Sharma served at Assam Bhawan in Navi Mumbai from 2003 and again from 2018 to 2021.
He helped Assam residents travelling to Mumbai for cancer treatment by arranging accommodation, meals and transport.
Sharma established the cancer care organisation Deepsikha in July 2004 after seeing patients’ financial and medical hardships.
During the May 2020 Covid lockdown, he coordinated buses that carried stranded cancer patients on a 2,731-kilometre journey back to Assam.
He also made Assam Bhawan a gathering place for the Assamese community, hosting cultural events including Bihu and Durga Puja.
- Who
- Devasish Sharma, a former IAS officer and BJP candidate for Assam’s Nagaon constituency.
- What
- He supported cancer patients and the Assamese community through his work at Assam Bhawan in Navi Mumbai.
- When
- He served at Assam Bhawan from December 2003 and again from December 2018 to May 2021; he coordinated the patients’ return journey in May 2020.
- Where
- Assam Bhawan in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, and on the journey from Mumbai to Assam.
- Why
- He sought to help Assam residents facing the financial and practical difficulties of travelling to Mumbai for cancer treatment.
- Assam Bhawan role
- Deputy Resident Commissioner from December 2003; Joint Resident Commissioner from December 2018 to May 2021.
- Assam Bhawan opened
- Became operational on July 1, 2004.
- Cancer care organisation
- Sharma established Deepsikha in July 2004.
- Hospital mentioned
- Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.
- Lockdown assistance
- In May 2020, Sharma coordinated bus convoys for stranded cancer patients returning to Assam.
- Journey distance
- The journey covered 2,731 kilometres across six states.
- Community events
- Assam Bhawan hosted Bihu celebrations, Durga Puja and other gatherings.