Renowned Assamese poet passes away

Guwahati: Noted Assamesse poet Hiren Bhattacharyya passed away this morning at a private hospital in the city after prolonged illness. Bhattacharyya (80), popularly known as `Hiru Da`, passed away at Dispur Hospital at around 11.30 am, hospital sources said. He was admitted to the hospital for past few weeks due to lung and urinary infections, the sources said. Bhattacharya, who leaves behind his wife and a daughter, was one of the most celebrated poets of Assam. Born at Jorhat in 1932, he has anthologies of poems to his name like `Roudro Kamona`, `Tumar Bahi`, `Sugondhi Pokhilaa`, `Moor Dekh`, `Bibhinno Dinor Kobita` and `Shoichor Pothar Manuh`. He also penned nursery rhymes for children and many songs and had a number of books to his credit. Recipient of a number of honours, including the Sahitya Academy Award in 1992, Bhattacharya had also edited several newspapers and magazines in his lifetime. He was first admitted to the hospital on May 29 and again on July 12 and since then has been under ventilation support in the ICU. Assam Transport Minister Chandan Brahma went to the hospital to pay his last respects. PTI