Veteran Assamese journalist Baikuntha Nath Goswami, a prominent figure in the state’s media landscape, passed away peacefully while sleeping on Friday morning at his residence in Hengrabari, Guwahati. He was 80. His death marks the end of an era in Assamese journalism, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, integrity, and literary contribution.
Goswami was the editor of the weekly newspaper Asom Bhumi Kakaṭa and one of the founding members of the Guwahati Press Club. Over the decades, he earned respect for his work as a journalist with the Press Trust of India (PTI), as well as through his role as a freelance columnist contributing to several local newspapers, including Niyamiya Barta and Asom Bani. His daughter, Sushmita Goswami, currently serving as the president of the Guwahati Press Club, survives him.
Born in August 1946 in Bamunkuchi, Pathsala, Goswami began his career with humble beginnings, gradually rising to prominent editorial positions. He worked with renowned newspapers such as Agradoot, Dainik Janambhumi, and News Star. Later, he served as the Bureau Chief of Patna, Bihar, for United News of India (UNI), and edited the now-defunct weekly Saptahik Nilachal.
Apart from journalism, Goswami was an accomplished author. His notable works include Jnanamala I and Jnanamala II, collections of folk tales, Nibandha Chayan, an anthology of essays, and analytical books like Asomiya Jatiyatadab aru Asomiyar Sangjna and Sangbad Madhyamar Swadhinata. Through these writings, he explored Assamese culture, society, and the evolution of the media, inspiring generations of writers and journalists.