It simply was not his age to leave this world. He had never been seriously ill. Nor was he someone who kept things to himself. Whatever came to his mind, he would say openly. Therefore, those who knew him found it difficult to believe the news of his passing. But it was true. He suffered a heart attack in his sleep at around seven in the morning and left this world at the age of just 61.
Earlier that morning, at around five o’clock, he had called out asking for ajwain water. After drinking it, he went back to sleep — and never woke up again. When he did not wake up even by around eight o’clock, Shuchita Bhabhi (Alok ji’s wife) tried to wake him up. There was no response. When she touched him, she realised that his body had turned completely cold. She cried out for help. Family members rushed in and took him to the hospital, where the doctor said that nothing could be done anymore. Until the formalities were completed, his mortal remains were kept in the hospital mortuary.
The atmosphere there was deeply mournful. His family members and friends had gathered. Shruti (Alok ji’s only daughter) sat distraught on a chair while relatives tried to console her. Meanwhile, the formalities were completed, and his body was taken home. After the prescribed rites were performed there, his last rites were conducted at Geeta Colony Cremation Ground in Delhi.
Alok ji possessed extraordinary eloquence, patience, intelligence, memory, dedication to duty and detachment. He was as deeply knowledgeable about Dharma and culture as he was about cinema, music and foreign affairs. He served Panchjanya for nearly 30 years.
He joined Panchjanya as a correspondent in October 1996. Thereafter, he served in various responsibilities, including Bureau Chief and Associate Editor. In February 2008, Tarun Vijay left Panchjanya to join the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Nyas. About six months later, in August 2008, Baldev Bhai Sharma assumed the responsibility of Editor of Panchjanya. During the intervening six months, the magazine was published under the guidance of Devendra Swarup, with Alok ji serving as Editor.
He retired on September 16, 2025. Although he was formally given a farewell on the day of his retirement, he was not relieved of his responsibilities. Editor Hitesh ji announced that Alok ji would be considered relieved only after the next annual celebration of Panchjanya. This was the first time such a decision had been taken in the institution. Accordingly, he continued to serve Panchjanya until January 2026.
He was so meticulous in his work that his colleagues firmly believed that if Alok ji had checked something, it would certainly be correct. He had earned that trust through his work and his conduct. That was his greatest identity.
Alok ji’s roots lay in the Goswami family of Vrindavan. He was born in Delhi on September 16, 1965. His father, Dr Babulal Goswami, was a Professor of Hindi at the University of Delhi. He retired as Principal of Shyam Lal College in 1996 and is now suffering from age-related ailments. A grieving elderly father, with trembling hands, bid farewell to his son’s bier as it left the family home. There could be no greater sorrow for him.
Among three brothers, Alok ji was the middle one. His elder brother, Arvind Goswami, served in the Government. His younger brother, Abhinav Goswami, holds a senior position in a refinery. His daughter, Shruti, completed her B.Tech and is employed with a leading company. The entire Panchjanya and Organiser family pays its heartfelt tribute to its dedicated and committed colleague, the late Alok Goswami.
