Hiteswar Saikia
| Hiteswar Saikia | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1934 |
| Died | May 15, 1996 (aged 61) |
| Citizenship | Indian |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse(s) | Hemoprova Saikia |
| Residence | Guwahati |
| Alma mater |
Cotton College, Guwahati Lucknow University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Religion | Hinduism |
Hiteswar Saikia was the chief minister of Assam for two terms, first from February 28, 1983 to December 23, 1985 and then from June 30, 1991 to April 25, 1996.
He was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress. During his first tenure as the chief minister, the famous Anti Foreigners Movement took place under the joint leadership of Sri Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and the late Bhrigu Kumar Phukan, the President and the General Secretary respectively of the All Assam Students Union. Saikia was a nationalist and an opponent of militancy in any situation. He is often criticised for crashing the militancy mercilessly in Assam. Saikia was an able administrator. He is credited for improving the education scenario of the state by provincialising a number of educational institutions. Saikia died while in office.
He allegedly orchestrated a number of "surrenders" of ULFA operatives.
Hiteswar Saikia was born on October 3, 1934 at Bogabagh Tea Estate. His father Haladhar Saikia (1896–1988), was a man of profound patriotism, great perspecuity, admirable diligence and excellent presence of mind. He worked as the tea garden's Head Clerk; the estate was owned by the Assam Tea Company and run by a British Board of shareholders.
From his childhood, Saikia was drawn to the non-cooperative movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi. To join the movement he gave up going to school. At that time he was studying in Class ix only. His father influenced his career at almost all the turning points of his early life. It was his father who made him go to Lucknow for postgraduate studies where he earned an M.A. in History.
As a result of his father's matchmaking, Saikia married Hemoprabha.
Although Hiteswar Saikia was not in the front rank of the leadership when Assam had been swept by the tides of two big political movements—namely The Oil Refinery movement of 1958 and The State Language movement, by dint of his organising capacity he caught the attention of discerning eyes. Saikia joined the ‘All India Congress Committee’ in August 15, 1964.
At that time, the responsibility of leading its youth wing was foisted upon him. He became a very popular figure and contested the Assembly election from his home constituency at Nazira, a small township situated near the ancient capital of the Ahom kings at Gargaon in the district of Sivasagar, Assam.
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Wikipedia