GUWAHATI, March 1 - Eminent satirist, library scientist and retired teacher of Gauhati University (GU) Bhadra Bora passed away at a city hospital around 7 am today due to multi-organ failure. According to family sources, the noted writer was hospitalised following a breathing problem on February 16, but he later developed multi-organ complications. He was 84.
Bora�s humorous writings, spread over books and magazines, have been widely acclaimed. He was a columnist for Dainik Asam. He also used to write for the Asomiya Pratidin and the weekly Asam Bani. He has six books of satirical writings to his credit.
Starting his career as a lecturer of Assamese at Nowgong College, he moved to Shillong and became the Librarian in the Assembly Library and finally settled in Guwahati in the 1970s as a faculty member in the Department of Library Science, Gauhati University. He retired as the Reader and Head of the GU Department of Library and Information Science in 1994.
He leaves behind two sons, a daughter and a host of relatives. His wife predeceased him about 14 years back.
As soon as the news of his death spread, his admirers, friends and relatives thronged his Chandmari Milanpur Path house here this morning. The Asam Sahitya Sabha and All Assam Students� Union also paid their last respects to the noted writer.
His last rites were performed at the Navagraha Cremation Ground here this noon.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has mourned the death of Bora. In a condolence message, he described late Bora as a towering satirist. The Asam Sahitya Sabha mourned the death of Bora as a great loss to Assamese literature.
It said in a statement that Bora played a significant role as the editor of several of its publications like Pratnatwatabid Rajmohan Nath Rachanasamgra (in both Assamese and English) and the compilation of the satirical writings of Mahadananda Goswami of Mrityunjoy fame. He also extended support to the Sahitya Sabha in publishing Asamiya Byanga Sahityar Ruprekha. The Sabha flag will fly half mast at its offices tomorrow.
The All Assam Students� Union and its Tangla unit have also mourned the death of the noted writer.
Srimanta Sankaradeva Chair Professor of Tezpur University Prof Ranjit Dev Goswami said Bhadra Bora�s death would be widely mourned. Bora�s death has also been mourned by the Octogenarians� Club of Guwahati and the Guwahati Senior Citizens� Association.
