Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the passing away of veteran journalist Prafulla Govinda Baruah, Editor and Managing Director of The Assam Tribune Group, remembering him as a respected voice in Indian journalism and a person deeply committed to Assam’s progress and culture.
In a message posted on social media, the Prime Minister said he was saddened by the death of Shri P G Baruah Ji and noted that he would be remembered for his valuable contribution to the media world. The Prime Minister also said that Baruah was passionate about furthering Assam’s development and taking the state’s rich culture to a wider audience. “My thoughts are with his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister said in his message.
The Prime Minister’s message came in reaction to the passing away of Prafulla Govinda Baruah, one of Assam’s most respected journalists and the long-time Chairman of The Assam Tribune Group, who died on Sunday night at the age of 93. According to family sources, Baruah breathed his last at around 9.30 pm at a private hospital in Guwahati, where he had been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments for the past few days. 
Baruah’s death has been widely described as the end of an era in Assam’s media history. For several decades, he was regarded as a guiding force behind responsible and balanced journalism in the state and the wider Northeast. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. His last rites are expected to be performed in Guwahati on Monday.
Born in 1932 in Dibrugarh, Prafulla Govinda Baruah was closely associated with The Assam Tribune, the oldest English daily in Northeast India. The newspaper was founded in 1939 by his father, Radha Govinda Baruah, a well-known figure in Assam’s public and media life. Over the years, the publication grew into one of the most trusted newspapers in the region, and Prafulla Govinda Baruah played a key role in preserving and strengthening that legacy.
As Chairman of The Assam Tribune Group, Baruah steered the institution through many changes, including political shifts, social movements and the fast-changing media landscape. Despite these challenges, the newspaper continued to uphold values such as accuracy, editorial independence and ethical reporting under his leadership. Many journalists from Assam and the Northeast consider The Assam Tribune not just a workplace, but a place where they learned the core values of journalism.
Those who worked closely with Baruah often spoke about his calm nature and quiet leadership style. He largely stayed away from public attention and believed that the credibility of a newspaper should come from its work, not from personal publicity. Colleagues recall that he saw journalism as a public responsibility and not merely a business.
In recognition of his long and distinguished service, Prafulla Govinda Baruah was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours. The award recognised his contribution not only to journalism but also to literature, education and social causes. Throughout his life, he remained associated with academic and cultural institutions and supported efforts that encouraged learning and informed public debate.
Following the news of his death, condolences poured in from across Assam and other parts of the country. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed deep grief, describing Baruah as a towering figure in the state’s journalistic world. The Chief Minister said Baruah’s commitment to principled journalism had left a lasting mark on Assam’s public life.
