The death of George Bordoloi, one of the pioneers of resort tourism in Assam, took an unexpected turn after it emerged that he had taken his life under alleged harassment.
On Sunday, it emerged that Bordoloi, the owner of The Georgie’s Retreat and EcoCamp, a resort in Sonapur, allegedly died by suicide.
Bordoloi’s body was found in the backyard of his resort at Hatimura in Sonapur, a Guwahati suburb.
Bordoloi is credited with establishing Assam’s first Dhaba in the 1980s.
The initial reaction to Bordoloi’s suicide was that of shock, since people who knew him said he was unlikely to have taken such an extreme step. Merely hours after his death, it emerged that the Vice-Chancellor of the Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU), Tepesia, Stephen Mavely was brought to the Sonapur Police Station for interrogation Sunday evening.
Sources informed that Georgie’s Retreat and the Don Bosco University had been embroiled in property-related dispute for quite some time now and that Bordoloi allegedly took the extreme step due to harassment.
A creative giant of Assam
In his obituary note, the former principal of B Barooah College, Dr Dinesh Baishya, wrote on Facebook: “Great creative giant of Assam. One of the pioneers of Rural Cultural Tourism in Assam. A great Assamese Nationalist and the Jungle Gentleman of Assam George Bordoloi left his beautiful world of creative tourism. He left his dearest forest, trees, rivers and tribal friends forever.”
Vina Rai, a marketing communication professional who knew Bordoloi through social media, also expressed shock at Bordoloi’s death. “I loved the natural foods he cooked with natural ingredients and posted on social media. I connected with George as I too am a foodie. I have learnt lots of tribal cooking processes and preparing ethnic dishes,” she told EastMojo.
“He had a larger-than-life personality who believed in celebrating life instead of just living. I cannot believe he took his life. I smell foul play and will wait for the investigation report,” she added.
