Geeta Upadhyay Passes Away at 87: Padma Shri Awardee & Legendary Assam Litterateur Dies
Geeta Upadhyay Passes Away at 87: Padma Shri Awardee Assam Litterateur Leaves Rich Literary Legacy
Guwahati: In a sad development that has deeply moved the literary and cultural circles of Northeast India, Geeta Upadhyay, the celebrated Padma Shri awardee, translator, academician, and prominent Gorkha social worker, passed away at the age of 87 on Monday evening in Tezpur, Assam.
According to family members, the veteran litterateur was briefly admitted to a private hospital due to age-related ailments. She returned home on Monday afternoon but fell ill again and breathed her last around 9 pm.
Geeta Upadhyay was a trailblazer in every sense. She was the first Gorkha woman from Assam to obtain a post-graduate degree. She served as the founder-president of the Assam chapter of the Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP) and made outstanding contributions to both Assamese and Nepali literature.
Her notable works include the Sahitya Akademi Award-winning Nepali novel Janmabhumi Mero Swadesh (2016), based on the life of her grandfather, freedom fighter Chabilal Upadhyaya. In 2012, she received the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize for translating the Assamese classic Karengor Ligiri into Nepali as Darbarki Susare.
Born on February 14, 1939, in Gangmouthan (now Biswanath district), Geeta Upadhyay retired as Head of the Political Science Department at Sibsagar College. Her writings and social initiatives continue to inspire generations of readers and the Gorkha community.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed profound grief on social media:
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Smt. Geeta Upadhyay, a distinguished educationist and author who immensely contributed to Assamese and Nepali literature. Honoured with the Padma Shri and the 2026 Sati Sadhani Award, her legacy will continue to inspire generations.”
The BGP Assam chapter has declared a week-long mourning period starting Tuesday.
Geeta Upadhyay’s demise marks the end of an era for Northeast India’s literary world. Her powerful voice bridging Assamese and Nepali cultures will be remembered forever through her timeless writings and tireless service to society.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
