Uday Sankar Saikia: A Tribute

Noted engineer Uday Sankar Saikia of Jorhat breathed his last on July 08, 2015 at his residence in Jorhat. He was 67. He had been down with sickness for the past one year.

Born in Jorhat as the 9th child Late KN Dutta Saikia and noted Nirodabala Saikia, Mr Saikia started his education in Jorhat. He was a student of the first batch of the vercular medium school, Balya Bhavan, of Jorhat. Later he moved to the Don Bosco High School, Guwahati boarding and passed matriculation examition from there. He did his pre-university education from St Anthony's College, Shillong. He had a penchant for mathematics, and that took him to the Civil Engineering Department in Jorhat Engineering College.

He started his professiol career with a stint in Military Engineering Service (MES) in Jorhat, Assam in 1971. Later he joined the Publics Works Department, Assam and retired in 2007 as the Superintending Engineer, PWD (Roads). He was also in deputation to the Assam Police Housing Corporation and was in-charge as the Chief Engineer. Post-retirement, he served as a State Quality Monitor.

The youngest of the close-knit and well-known Saikia clan in Jorhat, he received much attention and affection from his seven sisters and brothers. He led a lavish and care-free life-style during his young days. In post-marriage life with Rubi Saikia, daughter of Khirod Kumar Baruah and Kalpa Baruah of Amolapatty in gaon in 1974, he was a dedicated  family person. He made relentless efforts in bringing up his two sons. Sacrifice, for his family, is his middle me. Apart from fincial support to his children, he would ensure that each of this children attained what they were trying to. In return, he would take pride in showcasing the achievements of his sons - one excelled in academics and the other in sports. He is a role model as a father. He did not let his daughter-in-law feel the absence of his wife. He would take the new bride along and introduce to the family and friends.

The otherwise calculative person would shower gifts to his granddaughter Audri whenever they visited him at his residence. He even gifted her expensive "Hello Kitty" bicycle when he visited his eldest son in Newbury. Audri still flaunts that bike to her friends and neighbours as the gift from Koka.

He took immense pride in his work and profession and carried out his duties with utmost dedication. He was known for his punctuality.  He was loved and respected by his peers and subordites. His workplace was like his second home.  The family was overwhelmed by the support from his colleagues during the period of treatment of his beloved wife Rubi Saikia who passed away nine years back.

Although not an avid traveller, he did travel the length and breadth of the state owning to his work. His did travel to Nepal as a newly-wed back in the 1970s. He later travelled to the UK and far east as well.

Mr Saikia is survived by two sons, a daughter in law and a granddaughter. His eldest son works as a Senior Delivery Mager at the Headquarters of Vodafone in the UK and the youngest son served as a Supply Chain Mager for the sporting brand, Decathlon Sports India.

Mr Saikia's death Was condoled by several organizations, including Assam Engineers' Association, Jorhat Swimming Society, Lakshmi Sangha, Jorhat Lekhika Samaroh, Indian Council for Child Welfare Assam State Branch, Assam etc. On the day of his Arya Shradha, his family would like to thank all for their support and condolence. May his soul rest in peace.

— rayan Saikia