Who is Shukumar from A Temporary Matter and what is their importance?

Shukumar is a thirty-five-year-old doctoral student and Shoba's husband. He is described as a tall man with a large build. Because of the loss of his child six months earlier, Shukumar has been given a leave from his position. He is depressed, stays in bed until midday, and he doesn't leave the house for days at a time. He has spent the past months preparing dinners for himself and Shoba using the foods she has stored in the freezer and pantry.