GUWAHATI, July 5 � Fans, admirers and companions bade a tearful adieu to legendry poet Hiren Bhattacharjya, whose mortal remains were consigned to flames at the Navagraha crematorium here this afternoon.
In spite of the inclement weather, people from various walks of life, young and old alike, thronged the Navagraha cremation ground since early morning to pay their last homage to the poet, who for many was the �poet of the common man�.
Shanta Sarma, daughter of Hiren Bhattacharjya, lit the funeral pyre at around 1:30 pm amid the chanting of Vedic hymns. A cast of the poet�s footprint was taken by sculptor Biren Singha.
Hiren Bhattacharjya, affectionately known as Hiruda, passed away on Wednesday around 11:30 am at Dispur Hospital.
Earlier, a large number of people took part in the funeral procession which started from his house located on the RG Baruah Road. Various organisations paid floral tributes at the last remains of the poet when his funeral procession was progressing towards the cremation ground. The organisations include Artists� Guild, Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati, All India Radio, The Assam Tribune campus, where floral tributes were paid to the departed soul. The funeral procession was organized by the All Assam Students� Union.
People even came out to the streets to pay last tributes to their beloved poet whose verses reflected the common man�s plight and psyche.
Several organisations including Sanathan Dharma Sabha, Sports and Cultural Association and Zoo Road Tiniali Traders� Association also paid their last tributes.
Among those who paid their last respect to the departed soul at Navagraha crematarium, include poet Nalinidhar Bhattacharya, writer Atulananda Goswami , litterateur Dr Amarjyoti Choudhury, Cultural Affairs Minister Pranati Phukan, Swapnanil Baruah, Secretary, Cultural Affairs, AASU adviser Samujjal Bhattacharya, singer Pulock Banerjee, Zubeen Garg, former AGP president Chandra Mohan Patowary and BJP leader Siddharta Bhattacharjee.
Meanwhile, condolences continue to pour in from various quarters which include the Bodo Sahitya Sabha, the Gauhati High Court Bar Association, Assam Science and Technology and Environment Council, Assam Science and Technology University and the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation Limited.
A condolence meeting was organized by the members of Jyotirupa, a socio-cultural organization, on the The Assam Tribune premises and one-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect for the departed soul.
Besides, the Assam Public Service Commission and the Asom Ussator Madyamik Siksha Sangsad, Bamunimaidam, also organized condolence meeting on their respective premises today.
