Safiqur Rahman, Nagaon: Assam has lost one of its most respected journalists and sports administrators with the passing of Rajen Borkakati (Rajen Borkakati Passes Away), who breathed his last at his residence in New Amolapatty, Nagaon, on Saturday morning following age-related cardiac complications. He was 94.
A former adviser to the Nagaon Press Club, Borkakati remained actively associated with journalism almost until the final phase of his life. Born on February 21, 1932, at Shenchowa in Nagaon district, he devoted more than seven decades to journalism, sports administration, literature and social service.
Widely hailed as the pioneer of basketball in Assam, Borkakati introduced the sport in the state through Nagaon in 1967 and served as the General Secretary of the Assam Basketball Association from 1971 to 1987, playing a defining role in the game’s development. He also served as a member of the Basketball Federation of India for over a decade and was a member of the selection and technical committees, besides serving as a table official during the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. Under his leadership, Nagaon successfully hosted the Junior National Basketball Championship in 1984.
He was also instrumental in establishing the Assam Wrestling Association in Nagaon in 1989 and served as its President until 2011 before becoming its Chief Adviser. Throughout his illustrious career, he held several key positions, including Vice-President of the Assam Olympic Association and Assam Archery Association, President of the Nagaon Wrestling Association, and Secretary of the Nagaon District Sports Pensioners’ Association. He was also served as a A Sangbadik Suraksha Parishad Assam.
Borkakati began his journalism career in 1951 with the monthly Arun and later worked with several prominent Assamese, English and Bengali newspapers, including Natun Asomiya, Dainik Asam, Saptahik Janambhumi, Frontier Times, The Sentinel and The Assam Post. Known for his fearless reporting and unwavering commitment to ethical journalism, he earned immense respect across the media fraternity.
A prolific writer, he authored several books, including E Ki Aru Kiyo, Bhul Kar, Poribartan, Jibonor Gotipoth, and Amio Axomiya. He also played a pioneering role in organizing journalists in Nagaon and served as Joint Secretary of the district’s first journalists’ association.
His contributions extended beyond journalism and sports to education, culture and social welfare through organizations such as Srimanta Sankar Mission, Sankari Kristi Bikash Samaj, and the Nagaon District Consumer Protection Committee.
Rajen Borkakati is survived by his former Journalists wife Nilima Barkakati, son, two daughters, grandchildren and numerous relatives and admirers.
His demise has been widely mourned by the Nagaon Press Club, Nagaon District Print Media Association, Nagaon District Journalists’ Union (AAJU), Barta Jibi Sangha, APKU, the Nagaon Sports Association, social organization Shipa – The Root, Nagaon District Commissioner Debashish Sharma, former minister Girindra Kumar Baruah, MLA Rupak Sarma, and several other eminent personalities and organizations.
With the passing of Rajen Borkakati, Assam bids farewell to a legendary journalist, visionary sports administrator and dedicated social worker whose remarkable legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
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