Guwahati (The Stellar News): Assam’s celebrated journalist, editor and litterateur Homen Borgohain died yesterday following post Covid-19 complications and he was cremated in the afternoon. Borgohain (88) was
treated over his infection to novel corona virus few days back and he even turned negative to corona. But he fell seriously ill Tuesday night and he was later declared dead in a city based hospital by 7 am on 12 May due to
cardiac arrest. Condolence messages were poured over Borgohain’s demise as Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief saying in a tweet that the author made rich contributions to Assamese literature and journalism and Borgohain’s works reflected diverse aspects of Assamese life and culture. Assam Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi also mourned his death saying Borgohain’s contributions to Assamese literature and journalism remain unparallel. 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. 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 Swasthya, 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 11 major novels, 4 non-fictions with a large volume of media columns. 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 an 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. Meanwhile, the Covid-19 pandemic in India continues to kill journalists and the populous nation is only following Brazil (191 journo-casualties) with 172 dead till date. The global tally has already crossed 1300 mark of media victims due to Covid-19 in 76 countries. India is presently losing at least 4 journalist every day in the pandemic. According to Press Emblem Campaign, the Switzerland based media rights & safety body, Peru follows Bharat with 140 media-casualties and Mexico with 109. Below the hundred mark, Colombia lost 57 journalists due to the pandemic, followed by Italy (55), Bangladesh (52), USA, Ecuador (48 each), United Kingdom (28), Dominican Republic (27), Pakistan (26), Turkey (25), Argentina (23), Iran, Russia (21 each), Venezuela (19), Panama (16), Spain, Ukraine (15 each), Bolivia, Egypt (14 each), etc.
