Asom's greatest writer cremated

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

Guwahati, Aug 9 (UNI) One of the last remaining great writers of Asom Chandra Prasad Saikia, was cremated this afternoon with hundreds of people flocking to his home and the crematorium to pay their last respect.

Saikia, 79, died last night.

Doyen of Asomiya literature as well as the media, he was the author of some of the greatest novels in the Assamese language. He gave journalism a new approach over a career spanning nearly five decades.

His masterpiece 'Maharthi' fetched him the Akademi award but he made himself immortal by convincing the state government to change the name of the more colonial 'Assam' to colloquial 'Asom'.

He edited the now defunct daily 'Natun Dainik' which brought in a fresh wave of journalism. Its manifestation could be seen with more than half a dozen new newspapers doing good business in the state by journalists who were groomed by him.

He also edited two of the most widely acclaimed literary magazines--'Prakash' for the Asom Publication Board and 'Goriyashi', which he edited till the last.

Saikia was suffering from lung cancer and the end came at 2010 hours after renal failure.

His cremation and the final journey were attended by almost everyone from Asom's intelligentsia as he was regarded as one of the last vanguards of Asomiya nationalism.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi led the state in mourning his death while political parties, students, non government as well as literary organisation took part in the cremation.

UNI MT PL RN1344

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X