BARPETA, Jan 11 � Octogenarian stage artiste and a resident of Byaskuchi in Barpeta district Priya Baishya died of old age ailments at his residence around 10 am on Saturday. He was 86.
Born in 1928 at Byaskuchi, he was attracted to acting from his childhood and his glorious acting career spans a long period of 50 years. He, however, had to live his later life in abject penury due to lack of regular income and without any help from any quarter.
Only recently his service was recognised by some organisations. The Barpeta subdivisional committee of the All Assam Students Union felicitated him on October 7 and provided some financial help. The Asom Jatiya Vidyalay Socio Economic Trust conferred on him the maiden �Asom Jatiya Vidyalay Sanman� on November 16 along with some financial assistance.
Though well deserved, Baishya did not get an artiste�s pension from the government. He himself informed a team of visiting journalists in September, 2014 that in spite of applying for the last 27 years, the government did not think it right to grant him a pension which would have been of great help for the poor artiste who dedicated his life amusing the people.
Baishya�s death was widely condoled here and his last rites were largely attended. The Barpeta district and subdivision committees of the AASU, Sarthebari Press Club, Barpeta Zila Sanbadik Santha, Assam Union of Working Journalist, Barpeta District Committee, Sarukshetri Press Club, Bhattadev Milan Samiti and several leading citizens have condoled the death of the popular artiste.
