In 1998, I held the position of Special Correspondent at The Assam Tribune, having joined the publication as a Staff Reporter in 1989 after returning from Newstime in Hyderabad. Initially, I was under the brief editorial guidance of the late Robindra Nath Borooah, before Naren Deka took over as editor. After Deka’s retirement in 1995, PG Baruah, then Managing Director, assumed the editorship.
This period was particularly challenging for The Assam Tribune. Circulation was on a decline while competitive newspapers from Delhi and Kolkata were launching editions in Guwahati, making our publication seem like a lesser alternative. The aggressive underpricing strategies of these competing newspapers added further pressure to our situation.
Upon taking the helm, PG faced significant staffing shortages as the newspaper navigated a transitional phase, including the introduction of offset printing and the extensive use of computers in the newsroom. The Executive Editor at that time, Partha Sarathi Dutta, departed shortly thereafter.
In this precarious environment, PG called me one evening and unexpectedly suggested, “You take over as Executive Editor.” This came as a shock, as I was only 38 and had limited experience in desk work, having spent most of my career as a reporter. I voiced my concerns, stating, “Sir, I have very little desk experience, and there are so many senior colleagues I would be superseding.” However, PG reassured me, saying, “You can manage. I have full faith in you.” With that, he guided me to the Executive Editor’s chair and proclaimed, “From tomorrow, you will sit in this chair.”
The months that followed proved to be intensely hectic. My immediate focus was increasing the number of pages in the paper from eight to ten, and later to twelve. Press Manager Willie Mathews ordered new machines that would allow for color printing and an increased page count. We matched our competitors by reorganizing the newspaper into clearly defined sections such as City, State, Nation, International, and Editorial. If they offered comics, we decided to do the same by reaching out to suppliers in Delhi and Mumbai. We also introduced a popular horoscope feature, along with crosswords, sudoku, and other engaging content.
To enhance our appeal, we launched weekend supplements aimed at youth, children, and students, giving The Assam Tribune a more modern and wholesome look. Throughout this period, PG, as Managing Director and Editor, provided unwavering support. We also made fresh recruitments, bringing in new talent to boost both the reporting and editorial teams.
The goodwill from the people of our state became The Assam Tribune’s greatest asset. Coupled with our strong local flavor, it helped us rise above the competition, leading our circulation to grow from a modest 33,000 to over 100,000.
A defining moment in The Assam Tribune’s journey was PG Baruah’s decision to be the first newspaper owner in the country to accept the Majithia Wage Board recommendations. At a time when many larger media houses were contesting the ruling in court-a battle they ultimately lost-PG’s decision showcased both his leadership maturity and steadfast commitment to his employees.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/opinion/tiding-over-tough-times-1602081
Category: Opinion
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Publish Date: 2025-12-22 12:41:00
