Eminent litterateur Homen Borgohain passes away; President & PM offer condolences

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Sahitya Akademi awardee, eminent litterateur and journalist Homen Borgohain has passed away early Wednesday morning at a private hospital in Guwahati. He was 89.

Following his death, President of India, Ram Nath Kovind paid his condolences on Twitter: " One of the foremost intellectuals of Assamese literature, Homen Borgohain has left for his heavenly abode. An eminent journalist also, he was an inspiration to writers and journalists in Assam. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends & followers."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his condolences on Twitter: "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."

Further Union Home Minister Amit Shah in a tweet wrote, "Homen Borgohain, a well-known Assamese writer and journalist, played a significant role in popularizing Assamese language and literature. His subtraction is an irreparable loss to the world of literature and journalism. May God give his family strength to endure this sorrow and may his soul be healed."

Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi mourned the death of Homen Borgohain an eminent litterateur and journalist. In a condolence message here today, Prof. Mukhi said, "I am really saddened by the unexpected news of Homen Borgohain's sudden demise. An eminent litterateur, his creations reflected the varied and rich aspects of Assam's social and cultural life". A multi-faceted personality, his intense and passionate fervour for journalism and his objective and ethical practices of journalism have inspired the young and budding journalists to take the mission and profession from an ethical point of view. His contributions to Assamese literature and journalism is unparallel. His death is an irreparable loss to Assam and would create void which will really be hard to fill. He however left behind a rich legacy which will definitely be a source of inspiration for the posterity. My deep condolences to the bereaved family members and pray to God to be with them at this trying time. "I also pray to the Almighty for eternal peace of the departed soul".

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also paid his respects, describing Borgohain as an "epochal figure in Assamese literature" and directed that his last rites be performed with full state honours.

Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that late Homen Borgohain was an epochal figure in Assamese literature and with his death the state has lost a guiding light. He was a gifted writer who exhibited his prowess in all genres of literature with equal ease. Late Borgohain had deep understanding about human life and through his simple and unique style of writing eloquently highlighted its myriad facets. He has left an unparalleled legacy with his literary and journalistic contributions. His passing away is an irreparable loss and the Assamese society will continue to feel his void for all times to come, Dr. Sarma observed.

The Chief Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

On the other hand former chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, State BJP Presidesnt Ranjeet Kumar Dass, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee Ripun Bora, AIUDF Chief Baharuddin Ajmal, AGP President Atul Bora, Minisrer Chandra Mohan Patowary, Education Minister Ronoj Pegu, Assam Sahitya Sabha, Boro Sahitya Sabha, All Assam Students Union, All Assam Tribal Sangha, AJP, Raijor Dal and various other organizations paid their last tribute.

Further, the last rites of eminent litterateur and journalist Homen Borgohain has been performed with full state honours at Navagraha crematorium on Wednesday.

Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the funeral at Navagraha along with other dignitaries. The last rites have been performed with COVID-19 protocol.

It is to be mentioned here that before heading to Navagraha, the mortal remains for Homen Borgohain was taken to his home from city hospital after which it was taken to Sankardeva Kalashetra where his fan followers will pay last tribute.

The mortal remains then was taken to Niyomiya Barta's office, Amar Asom's office, Guwahati Press Club, Asom Sahitya Sabha, Asomiya Pratidin's office to pay last tribute to the noted litterateur.

A former president of the state's apex literary body Asam Sahitya Sabha, Borgohain has written at least 11 novels in Assamese and served as the editor-in-chief of two major Assamese dailies, Amar Asom and Niyomiya Barta.

In the early 1980s, Borgohain translated Myron Weiner's Sons of the Soil to Assamese and published parts of it in Nagorik, the weekly he edited. "Many agitators read this, and it inspired the movement, which was initially directed against all non-Assamese.

At the time of his death, he was the Editor-in-Chief of Assamese daily 'Niyomiya Barta'.

Homen Borgohain was born on December 7, 1932, in a small village in Dhakuakhana in the Lakhimpur district of Assam.

He was awarded the 1978 Sahitya Akademi Award in Assamese language for his novel Pita Putra. Borgohain also wrote several novels, short stories and poetry and was also the President of Assam Sahitya Sabha.

Borgohain also won the Sahitya Akademi Award, Assam Valley Literacy Award, Nilomoni Phukan Award, Srimanrta Shankardev Award etc.

Borgohain also wrote several novels in which Saudor Puteke Nau Meli Jay, Halodhiya Soraye Baudhan Khai, Astarag, Pita Putra, Timir Tirtha, Kushilab, Edinar Diary, Bisannata, Nisongota, Subala, Matshyagandhaa gained popularity which were also later featured as Assamese flims.

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