Sahitya Akademi awardee Homen Borgohain no more; to be cremated with full state honours

Guwahati, May 12: One of the most prominent literary figures of Assam and a Sahitya Akademi awardee Homen Borgohain has passed away due to post COVID-19 related complications in the morning hours on May 12. He was 89.

Borgohain was also known for his journalism works and was associated with a number of major publications including Asom Bani. He was the editor-in-chief of Assamese daily Niyomiya Barta before his demise.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condoled the death of Borgohain and said that the Borgohain will be cremated with full state honours.

The CM has asked Education Minister Ranoj Pegu to supervise the necessary arrangements in this regard.

"I'm deeply saddened by the demise of one of the brightest stars of Assam's intellectual field. His demise has left a huge void. We have lost a guardian," CM Sarma said in a tweet.

His body will be brought to his Hengrabari Housing Colony residence, then will be taken to Niyomiya Barta, GL Publications offices, Gauhati Press Club and Sahitya Sabha. Borgohain's body will be cremated at Nabagraha.

Family sources said that Borgohain had returned home after recovering from COVID-19 several days back but suddenly felt uncomfortable in the wee hours on May 12. He was rushed to a private hospital where the eminent author breathed his last at 6.58 am.

Borgohain was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award in 1978 for the Assamese language for his novel Pita Putra. Apart from that, he was honoured with several prestigious awards.

His literary works have been widely appreciated by critics and readers.

Born in a small village in Lakhimpur in 1932, Borgohain went on to become an Assam Civil Service officer before joining newspapers to pursue a career in journalism. And in between, he continued to create literary pieces. He leaves behind his wife, Nirupama Borgohain, two sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren.