GUWAHATI, Nov 4 - Educationist and writer Preeti Barua passed away at her RG Baruah Road residence this morning. She was 85 and had been suffering from old-age ailments.
She was a former principal of Handique Girls� College and founder president of the Asam Mahila Sangha and Asam Lekhika Santha. She retired as principal of Handique Girls� College in 1993. She received the Sahitya Akademi award for her Assamese translation of Rathachakra, a popular Marathi literary work. Nirarthak is her short story collection. Acclaimed as a translator, Barua translated a number of significant literary volumes into Assamese including Rip Van Winkle, Strait is the Gate by Andre Gide, Skeleton by Amrita Pritam, etc.
She was the sister of eminent poet, the late Hiren Bhattacharya. She leaves behind a daughter and a son. Her last rites were performed at Navagraha. Various organisations including Pub Guwahati Bihu Sanmilan and Brihattar Guwahati Bihu Sanmilanar Samanwayrakshi Samiti have condoled Barua�s death.
