Veteran journalist and eminent litterateur Homen Borgohain passed away at the age of 89 in Guwahati at 6:58 AM Wednesday. Borgohain, who was a former president of Asom Sahitya Sabha, the apex literary body of the state, had tested positive for COVID-19 on April 24.
Borgohain was born in a small village in Dhakuakhana, Lakhimpur, and went to Guwahati after completing matriculation from Dibrugarh Govt boy’s higher secondary school Dibrugarh and joined Cotton College for higher studies. He married Nirupama Tamuli, famous in Assam as Nirupama Borgohain : one of the most popular writers of her generation and an exponent of early feminist writings in Assam.
Before starting his career in journalism, the prominent novelist, essayist worked as an Assam Civil Service (ACS) officer for a brief period. He first edited an Assamese weekly newspaper Nilachal and later he edited the weekly Nagarik. Afterwards, he served as Northeast correspondent for Bangali daily newspaper Ajkal. Borgohain was also editor of Asam Bani and Amar Asom, two leading newspapers of Assam.
He has been honoured by numerous awards which include Sahitya Akademi Award,
Assam Valley Literary Award, Nilamoni Phukan Award from Asom Sahitya Sabha,
Srimanta Sankardev Award and
Matshendra Nath Award.
Assam Chief Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “Last rites of Eminent litterateur, veteran Journalist Homen Borgohain will be performed with full State Honours and National Dignity”. Today is a great loss for Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to write, “Shri Homen Borgohain will be remembered for his rich contributions to Assamese literature and journalism. His works reflected diverse aspects of Assamese life and culture. Saddened by his passing away. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti”.
His contributions to the field of literature and journalism will be honoured forever in the state.
