Guwahati: Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh (BGP), Assam State Committee, on Tuesday paid its final respects to its founder president, Padma Shri awardee Gita Upadhyay, who died on Monday night at her residence in Chandmari, Tezpur. She was 87.
Upadhyay passed away at around 9:10 pm following age-related ailments, leaving behind a rich legacy in literature, education and social service.
A BGP delegation led by Assam State Working President Thandi Newar visited her residence to offer floral tributes and extend condolences to her family. The delegation included Sonitpur District President Gaur Bahadur Chetry, District General Secretary Muktinath Luitel, State Executive Member Ganesh Poudyal, founding General Secretary Prabin Rai, district office-bearers, executive members, life members, media representatives and several well-wishers.
As a mark of the organisation’s highest honour, BGP leaders draped the organisation’s flag over the glass casket containing her mortal remains. The gathering also observed a minute’s silence in her memory and recalled her pivotal role in building the organisation and advancing the interests of the Indian Gorkha community.
Born on February 14, 1939, at Gangmouthan in the then Darrang district, now Biswanath, Upadhyay hailed from the family of freedom fighter Babu Chabilal Upadhyaya, the first elected president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee.
An eminent educationist, she retired as Head of the Department of Political Science at Sibsagar College. She also became the first Gorkha woman from Assam to earn a postgraduate degree, marking a significant milestone in women’s education within the community.
Her literary contributions received national recognition over the years. In 2012, she received the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize for translating the Assamese classic Karengor Ligiri into Gorkha under the title Darbarki Susare. Four years later, she won the Sahitya Akademi Award for her Gorkha-language novel Janmabhumi Mero Swadesh, inspired by the life and struggles of her grandfather.
The Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri in 2025 for her outstanding contribution to literature, education and society. Earlier this year, the Assam government also conferred on her the Sati Sadhani Literary Award. In 2024, Bharatiya Gorkha Parisangh recognised her lifelong service to the Gorkha community with the Rashtriya Gorkha Gaurav Samman during its 24th National Council Meeting in Diphu.
Apart from being an acclaimed author, translator and academician, Upadhyay was a pioneering social worker. As the founder president of the BGP Assam State Committee, she played a key role in promoting the unity, identity, dignity and constitutional rights of the Indian Gorkha community.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed grief over her demise, describing her as an eminent litterateur and distinguished educationist whose contributions enriched both Assamese and Nepali literature. He said her work and ideals would continue to inspire future generations and conveyed his condolences to her family, admirers and well-wishers.
BGP Assam General Secretary Nanda Kirati Dewan also expressed condolences and announced a week-long mourning period in her honour.
According to the Sonitpur district administration, Upadhyay will be cremated with full state honours in Tezpur on Wednesday. Senior BGP leaders, including National President Nityananda Upadhyay, National Vice President Prakash Dahal, North East Zone President Dr Dilip Chetry, Assam State President Amar Adhikari, Working President Thandi Newar, Senior Vice President Khem Pradhan and General Secretary Nanda Kirati Dewan, are expected to attend the funeral.
Her death marks the end of an era in Indian Gorkha literature and community leadership. Through her writings, academic achievements and decades of public service, Gita Upadhyay leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations.