Guwahati: Assam’s Veteran journalist and Padma Shri awardee Prafulla Govinda Baruah passed away at Apollo Hospital in Guwahati around 9:40 pm on Sunday after battling age-related ailments for nearly a week.
He was 93 and is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condoled the death of Baruah, the editor of North East’s oldest English daily ‘The Assam Tribune’. Deeply saddened by the passing away of Shri P G Baruah, Owner, Editor and Managing Director of The Assam Tribune Group and a towering figure in Assam’s journalistic landscape,” CM Sarma said in a post on X.
His lifelong dedication to principled journalism and his immense contribution to literature, education and public life will always be cherished, the CM said.
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. For decades, he had been helming the newspaper, which was founded by his father Radha Gobinda Baruah.
The Assam Tribune had been a leading daily in the region, in publication since 1939. Barua was the Chairman Emeritus of The Assam Tribune Group. Under his leadership, The Assam Tribune adapted to changing times while upholding values of truth, integrity, and public service.
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.
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Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University conferred an honorary doctorate on him this year, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to journalism and his significant contribution to shaping informed public opinion in the state.
