GUWAHATI, May 6 � Former editor of Dainik Asam and Dainik Janambhumi, and executive trustee of Media Trust, Assam, Profulla Chandra Borua passed away at the International Hospital here around 2.55 pm today. He was 75 and had been ailing for some time.
Born at Nazira in Sivasagar district in 1938, Borua matriculated from Selenghat HE School, Jorhat, under Gauhati University in 1955. He did his ISc and BA from Cotton College but could not complete MA which he pursued in Gauhati University.
Borua, who also excelled as an organizer since his student days, began his career as a journalist by joining Natun Asomiya as staff-reporter-cum-sub-editor on February 16, 1963, and soon became the assistant editor and stayed in that capacity till March 1969. He joined�the weekly, Janambhumi, as editor in April 1969. He was the editor-in-charge of Dainik Janambhumi�from June 1, 1972, and later served as its full-fledged editor�till November 1986. In January 1987, he joined Dainik Asam as editor and remained in that post till December 1995. He also worked as editor in Rongpur till March 1997.
A prolific writer, Borua was a columnist in Ajir Asam from April 1997 onwards. In between he worked in several other newspapers and periodicals. He was the executive trustee of Media Trust, Assam since 2002 till his death.
Borua was the general secretary of the Gauhati Journalists� Association for a number of times till 1969. He organized the All Assam Journalists� Convention in Guwahati in 1965 and was first elected as assistant secretary of the All Assam Working Journalists� Association, and later became its general secretary. He was the founder president of the Journalists� Action Committee, Assam and also the general secretary of the 150 Years of Newspapers in Assam, Celebration Committee (1992-2002).
Borua also wrote poems for children since his school days in various newspapers. His other writings include short stories, articles on current topics and on journalism besides a book titled A Short History of Assamese Newspapers.
A recipient of many awards, Borua was a crusader for the rights of the indigenous people and remained at the helm of several popular newspapers during trying times of the State. �After Lakshminath Phukan, Kirtinath Hazarika and Chandra Prasad Saikia, Borua was a leading light of Assamese journalism,� DN Chakravartty, veteran journalist, said at his demise.
Borua�s last rites will be performed tomorrow. Before that, his body will be taken to the Media Trust at 8-30 am and the Guwahati Press Club at 9-30 am for enabling the public to pay homage to him.
He leaves behind his wife, a son and two daughters.
Many organizations and individuals, including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Asam Satra Mahasabha�s former president Bhadra Krishna Goswami, Guwahati Press Club, All Assam Students� Union, All Koch-Rajbangshi Students� Union, AIUDF have condoled his death, terming it as a great loss for journalism and the national life of Assam.