Remembering jourlist Satish Chandra Kakati

V eteran jourlist and freedom fighter Satish Chandra Kakati took guard of The Assam Tribune as Editor from the founder Editor of Assam Tribune Lakshmi th Phukan in 1967. Before taking over the charge of the Editor, Kakati was the Assistant Editor of the daily since November 1, 1952. Prior to joining The Assam Tribune he was Assistant Director of Publicity and Information Department, Government of Assam.  

The Jourlism carrier of of Kakati started on November 2, 1937 when he was appointed as correspondent from Guwahati by the Hindusthan Standard and Anda Bazar Patrika of Calcutta and also by Associated Press of India (API), now Press Trust of India (PTI) from 1937- 47. He was also founder Editor of Asom Bani, an Assamese weekly newspaper published from Tribune group. He maged both the newspapers from a small room and RG Baruah had his fullest confidence on Kakati. Notable traits of Kakati’s persolity was that he was very sympathetic to the needs, hope and aspirations of his fellow staff as recalled by some of his subordites.

Another major quality that Kakati possessed was that strict sense of punctuality, self-discipline and versatile Editor. As Editor of The Assam Tribune he had moulded strong public opinion on vexed issues concerning the tion and the state. His pen was fluent and never compromise in his writing whoever he may be. It may be recalled that to protest proclamation of emergency on 26th June, 1975 the Editorial column of The Assam Tribune kept blank for a day on the next day i.e. on 27 June which created a history in the field of jourlism and during that period Kakati was the editor of the daily. He retired from The Assam Tribune in the month of June, 1976. Even after his retirement from The Assam Tribune and Asom Bani his pen was never stopped till his death and wrote articles related to North-east region in local dailies as well as in The Statesman and The Telegraph regularly. Kakati was known as a store house of knowledge in respect of North-east region particularly of Assam. Kakati did not encourage ‘yellow jourlism’. He was very strict on matters of correct reporting and editing. He desired that proper spelling of mes and titles of great persolities whose me and titles appeared in The Assam Tribune. During his carrier as jourlist he interviewed Subhas Chandra Bose in 1938 at Ashley Hall in Shillong when he came to Assam in connection with the formation of the Congress Coalition Ministry, interviewed Muslim League President Mahammad Au Jinh at Guwahati in 1945 and Mahatma Gandhi on 9th January’1946 on a ferry during his return visit from Sualkuchi to Guwahati. Satis Chandra Kakati was a versatile persolity and among the trendsetters of jourlism in the  State. He took pride in the profession and sincerely thought that it could be a very effective weapon in fighting injustice and oppression in the society.

Kakati was born and brought up at Ulabari a small village of present lbari district in 1912 on October 23. His father Bakalu Ram Kakati , popularly known as “Bakalu Pandit’ , was a teacher in a local MV  School.  After passing the Entrance Examition under the Calcutta University in the year 1932, when he applied for admission in Cotton College in the first year Arts, he was bluntly refused admission by the then Principal Sudmerson saying that he was known to be anti-British and out and out Congress man. According to the Principal if Kakati was admitted, the entire educatiol scerio of the college would be polluted. Knowing this Kakati was deeply heart and decided to meet Tarun Ram Phukan at his Bharalumukh residence. Tarun Phukan immediately taken up the matter with the Principal Sudmerson through Bamdev Goswami who was neighbour of Phukan and also Head Assistant of Cotton College. Goswami was very close to the Principal and in the evening the Principal Sudmerson came to Phukan’s residence and begged apology also confirmed that Kakati has been admitted in the year class and admission fee was waived.

Kakati was the recipient of Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1976, 1 Nilamani   Phookan award of Assam Sahitya Sabha in 1999, Padma Shri  in 1991 for his contribution to Assamese and English jourlism, Tampra Patra and Literary pension from the Government of Assam, Lokapriya Goptti Bardooi Award in 2002, Swahid Mukunda Kakati Award for 2004-05. Kakati was President of Governing Body of Kamrup Academy High School, Guwahati College, Barbhag College for 11 years. In addition he was members of various State and Central Government organizations/institutions. He wrote various books in English and Assamese. He also traveled Great Britain, USA and erstwhile West Germany on invitation from the respective countries as one of the representatives of India.

Shri Kakati expired on 19th June, 2006 at the age of 94. Though, Satis Chandra Kakati, is no longer among our midst, we remember his contribution in the field of jourlism and his ideals will continue to inspire and motivate the members of the fourth estate in the days to come.

—Diganta Talukdar