Guwahati: President Ram Nath Kovind mourns the demise of Assamese intellectual Homen Borgohain on Wednesday in a Guwahati based private hospital following post-Covid-19 complications. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid his condolences over his death saying Borgohain would always be remembered for his rich contributions to Assamese literature and journalism.
The celebrated journalist, editor and litterateur Borgohain (88) was treated successfully over his infection to novel corona virus few days back and he even turned negative to Covid-19. But he fell seriously ill on Tuesday night and later was declared dead in a city hospital by 7 am on Wednesday morning due to cardiac arrest. Borgohain left his wife Nirupama (Tamuli) Borgohain, also an illustrated author-journalist, two sons and a host of relatives.
Besides editing an Assamese daily Niyomiya Barta and a health magazine GNRC wasthya, the prolific writer also hosted a series of interactive television shows in the satellite news channel NewsLive till his demise. Borgohain was also the president of Asom Sahitya Sabha, the State’s apex literary body. The Sahitya Akademi awardee authored more than ten major novels, many non-fictions with a large volume of media columns.
His last rites were performed at Nabagraha crematorium in the city with full state honours, where State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with a selected group of dignitaries was present. Sarma commented that Borgohain’s death has created a void amidst the people of Assam. Earlier, Assam Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi also expressed grief over Borgohain’s death saying his contributions to Assamese society would remain unparallel.
Born in 1932 at Dhakuakhana in eastern Assam, Borgohain had his schooling in native localities and later arrived in Guwahati to study in Cotton College (now a university). He graduated from the prestigious institution and joined the government job as a civil service officer. Soon he left the job and ventured into the world of journalism. Borgohain’s first assignment was as an editor of Assamese newsweekly named Nilaachal.
Later he joined another weekly Nagarik as its editor and after some time he started working as a correspondent to popular Bengali newspaper Aajkaal. He also edited Asom Bani, Ajir Dainik Batori, Sutradhar, Satsori and Amar Asom. Some of his literary creations include Pita Putra, Saudor Puteke Nao Meli Jay, Halodhiya Choraye Baodhan Khai, Astaraag, Subala, Matysagandha, Nisangota, Aatmanusandhan, Moar Hriday Ekhon Juddhakshetra, Moar Sangbadik Jibon, etc.
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