Freedom fighter, veteran scribe Satish Kakati dies

Kakati, former editor of The Assam Tribune, is survived by two sons and four daughters.

Freedom fighter and veteran journalist Satish Kakati died in Guwahati on Monday night following old age ailments. He was 94.

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Kakati, former editor of The Assam Tribune, is survived by two sons and four daughters.

After taking up journalism as the Guwahati correspondent of the Press Trust of India (PTI), Hindusthan Standard and Ananda Bazar Patrika, Kakati joined The Assam Tribune in 1931, the only English daily in the Northeast then, as its Assistant Editor.

After 32 years of dedicated service, he took over the editorship of the newspaper and served in the top job till his retirement in 1976.

Also editor of the 'Asom Bani' -- a sister Assamese weekly, Kakati was honoured with the Padmashree in 1991 for his contribution to the field of journalism.

Serving as the Vice-President of the Editors Guild of India, he was nominated to the Tea Board by the Central Government and the Assam Pay Commission by the state government as a member.

Kakati was jailed for participating in the Independence Movement and he was honoured with the Tamrapatra.

Floral tributes were paid to him at the Guwahati Press Club and the Assam Tribune before the last rites were performed at the Nabagraha crematorium.