Shri Nathji's Devotee Kashinath Saikia

Kashinath Saikia was born on 1889 as the fourth son of Late Rai Bahadur Betharam Saikia of Naobaisa village in Jorhat. Kashinath Saikia graduated from Calcutta university in 1913. The government of India then awarded scholarship to study industrial chemistry abroad. But the outbreak of World War-I in 1914 ruled out studies abroad. He took up a job in Bengal Paper Mill. Having worked there for some time, joined a Japanese firm and went to Japan and received training in the manufacture of paper. He then joined in Rangoon to a Burmese paper manufacturing concern, as  its chief chemist.  He was promoted as works manager. While in Burma he invented a new process for the manufacture of cardboard. He patented the process in India and Germany and earned Rs. 65,000/- in royalties. The patent also won him the fellowship of the chemical society of London. He  returned to Assam in 1921 to setup a paper mill but did not succeed. So in 1923 he setup the Jorhat Electric Supply Company at the cost of 70,000 Rupees. He was the first man to introduce electricity supply to Assam. Kashinath Saikia was twice nominated to the Assam Legislative council. the first he defeated an Englishman to win a seat in 1926 next spell from 1931 to 1937. Kashinath Saikia always made a mark, a man of excellent taste, and also a well dressed legislator.  He was decades ahead of his times in his thinking rocked by ill health he passed away on 8th may 1962.

Shri  Nathji made a brief visit to Shillong in 1937 at the calling of Devotes. There he met Shri Kashinath Saikia, an M.L.C. member of the Legislative Council of State. He become greatly devoted to Shri Nathji.  Once he took Shri Nathji to Cherrapunji in his car. As Shri Nathji entered the car, the singular thought came to His mind that the car would go over a cliff in the mountainous regions.

“I am an expert Driver. “said Kashinath Saikia with some pride, “I have driven i Europeand England for years!”

As the car went along the mountain road Kashinath Saikia boasted more and more of hos driving skills. The driving was downhill. Suddenly he made an error around a curve and the car went over the edge of the road. It fell some feet and landed upright on a small ledge bellow.

Shri Nathji had an injured tooth. Kashinath Saikia was unhurt. 

“Never in my life have I had an accident before” said a distraught Kashinath Saikia.  “O Nathji why you have to receive this injury when you are with me!

And Shri Nath ji aid “So that you would receive no injuries when you were with me!” Kashinath! This is the price you have to pay for your pride! No mater how adept a man may become at anything. Pride must never enter his heart.”

In later life Shri Nathji lost that tooth and that missing tooth would always remind Him of His devotee, Kashinath Saikia and He would send His blessings to the man.

Kashinath Saikia published Shri Nathji Pamphlet “Inspired Epistle” at Shillong and remained ever devoted to Him.

Comments -

Bharti Verma - only God can save anyone this way...like you did ...save gaurav my dearest brother in 2005 from serious car accident with your blessings...countless thanks dearest prabhuji for being there for us always....

Priya Nath Mehta - Blessings for remembering!!

HE Robert Duff - God works in mysterious ways!