Assam's veteran journalist Prafulla Govinda Baruah passes away at 94

Guwahati: Assam’s Veteran journalist and Padma Shri awardee Prafulla Govinda Baruah passed away at Apollo Hospital in Guwahati around 9:40 pm at the age of 94, after battling age-related ailments for nearly a week.

Baruah, widely regarded as a leading figure in Assamese journalism, leaves a significant gap in the state’s media landscape.

Tributes flowed from across Assam, remembering him as a committed advocate of ethical and independent journalism.

Born on July 26, 1932, in Dibrugarh, Baruah dedicated his life to strengthening print journalism in the Northeast.

Following the legacy of his father, Radha Govinda Baruah, founder of The Assam Tribune, he ensured the newspaper remained a credible and fearless voice in public discourse.

Under his leadership, The Assam Tribune adapted to changing times while upholding values of truth, integrity, and public service.

His stewardship earned the newspaper the trust of generations of readers and cemented its reputation as one of the region’s most respected dailies.

In recognition of his contributions to journalism, education, and literature, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2018, a proud moment for Assam’s media fraternity.

Earlier this year, Krishna Kanta Handique

State Open University honoured him with an honorary doctorate, acknowledging his lifelong dedication to journalism and his role in shaping informed public opinion in the state.

According to family sources, his last rites will be performed on Monday after the public has paid their final respects.

With his passing, Assam loses a veteran journalist and a long-standing figure in the state’s media.