Veteran Poet Hiruda left us alone

Guwahati: Renowned poet Hiren Bhattacharya is no longer with us. After suffering from Kidney and Lungs disease he had been admitted to Dispur Hospital in Guwahati where he left his last breath at 11.30 am today. He was undergoing treatment for lung and urinary infections, was put on invasive ventilation support after his condition run down final last night. The 80 year old Sahitya Academy award winner, popularly known as Hiruda was kept on ICU at Dispur hospital on June 12 as he was pang from urinary and lung infections. Hiruda, who leaves behind his wife and a daughter, was one of the most celebrated poets of the state. Born in 1932, 28 July at Jorhat, he has anthologies of poems to his name like, Mur Dekh Mur Premor kabita, Bibhinna Dinor Kabita, Tumar Gaan, Sugandhi Pokhila, Shoisor Potharor Manuh, Junaki Mon etc. He also penned nursery rhymes for children and many songs and had a number of books to his credit. Recipient of a number of honors for his invaluable contribution including the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992, Hiruda had edited several newspapers and magazines in his lifetime. He was also awarded with Raghunath Choudhury and Bishnu Rabha Award by Axom Sahitya Sabha in 1976 and 1985 for his books Bibhinno Dinor Kabita and Sugondhi Pokhila, Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1987 and Assam Valley Literate Award by William Meg Education Trust. Transport Minister Chandan Brahma went to the hospitals to pay his last respects. His cremation will be done at Navagraha on Thursday.