Senior journalist Pijush Kanti Das passed away in on May 27 night following a prolong illness at a private hospital in Guwahati.
Das, who has been working as a chief of bureau at News Live for Barak Valley, was 56 at the time of death.
A pass-out from GC College and Assam University Silchar, Das had also worked for NDTV, Jugantar, Amrit Bazar, Aajkaal and a few local Bengali newspapers.
Among others, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA) expressed grief at the untimely demise of the Silchar-based journalist.
In a condolence message, Sonowal expressed deep grief at the demise of the journalist saying that his contribution to journalism will always be remembered.
Das left behind his wife Santasree Shome, who reportedly donated a kidney for transplantation to keep him alive, their daughter and other close relatives with a host of well-wishers. A popular personality in Barak Valley, Das was also engaged in cultural and environmental issues.
“Das is the fifth working journalist died in Assam during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown,” said a statement issued by JFA President Rupam Baruah and Secretary Nava Thakuria adding that “earlier we lost Mozahedul Haque, Padmeswar Chitrakar, Bhaskar Dutta and Pranjal Hazarika to various ailments”.
He was popular among the fellow journalists. “Pijus da had been my guide on issues and news stories of southern Assam. A soft spoken gentleman, an upright journalist and a wonderful human being has left us. He will always be remembered for life. The memory of my first meeting with him is vivid, this image of his last journey is tragic for all of us who have known him, his qualities will be admired always,” said NDTV’s Northeast correspondent Ratnadip Choudhury paying tribute to Das.
