Guwahati: Noted writer, journalist, and former editor of Assamese daily Asomiya Pratidin, Nitya Bora passed away in Jorhat on Wednesday. He was 83.
He breathed his last at a private hospital in Jorhat around 2:30 pm on Wednesday. According to reports, Bora had been unwell for a long time and was undergoing treatment.
Born in Jamugurihat in 1943, Bora worked as an officer in the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) before retiring from service. He later went on to make a significant mark in journalism and literature.
Nitya Bora served for several years as the editor of one of Assam’s leading newspapers, Asomiya Pratidin. Alongside journalism, he earned wide respect as an accomplished writer, essayist, and editor. During his lifetime, he wrote and edited several important books, including Atmaghati Asomiya and Dusamayar Samay.
He was also the founder-editor of the socio-cultural magazine Sampatrik Samayiki, which was published from 1976 to 1985. Later, three volumes of the magazine were brought out in book form, edited jointly by Bora and noted writer Paramananda Mazumdar.
Bora was also associated with the now-defunct magazine Amar Pratinidhi, edited by music maestro Bhupen Hazarika, where he contributed articles under a pen name.
In October last year, Bora had suddenly fallen ill at his residence in the Gandhibasti area of Guwahati and was rushed to Nemcare Hospital in Bhangagarh after his condition deteriorated. Since then, he had been bedridden and was under the care of his daughter.
He is survived by his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. His wife and son had predeceased him.
His demise has created a huge void in Assam’s social, journalistic, and literary circles. As per available information, his last rites will be performed in Guwahati.
Admirers and well-wishers from different parts of the state have expressed deep grief over his passing and prayed for eternal peace to his departed soul.
Expressing grief over Bora’s demise, noted Assamese writer Paramananda Mazumdar said he had known Nitya Bora since his student days at Cotton College, but their close association began in 1976 when Bora started publishing Sampatrik Samayiki.
Mazumdar said the magazine quickly drew the attention of intellectuals and readers because it fearlessly raised issues that many newspapers and publications of the time chose to avoid.
He recalled that the magazine carried debates on the role of Asam Sahitya Sabha, questioned the alleged distortion of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala’s works by the Assam Publication Board, and highlighted incidents of brutality during the Assam Movement.
“He was a courageous editor who believed journalism must speak the truth without fear or favour. At a time when many preferred silence, he gave space to voices, debates, and ideas that mattered to society,” Mazumdar said.
He further recalled organising several public events with Bora, including the birth centenary celebrations of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, Hemanga Biswas, and historian Amalendu Guha.
Stating that Bora’s death was an irreparable loss, Mazumdar said Assam had lost one of its finest literary minds and a fearless voice in journalism whose contributions would be remembered for generations.