The Pioneer Editor and former two-time Rajya Sabha MP from Bhartiya Janata Party Dr Chandan Mitra (66) often referred as a gentleman journalist passed away on Wednesday night. His son Kushan Mitra posted news of his sad demise on his Twitter handle suggesting that Dr Mitra had been suffering for a while.
His demise left the political and journalistic circle of Jharkhand bereaved, considering it a personal loss.
Dr Mitra often referred to Jharkhand as his second home where he had set-up the State edition of The Pioneer and chiselled many a cub and seasoned reporters into journalistic excellence.
His colleagues, whom Dr Mitra never considered subordinate, will remember him as an editor who encouraged reporters to write truth irrespective of which party and politician that truth is going to tease.
“I have no words to express my sorrow. We have lost a bhadra purush and a bhadra patrakar. He was a janata ka reporter who had a set high ethics of journalism as well as politics,†said former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Union Minister Arjun Munda.
Munda recollected that he had first met Dr Mitra in 2003. “His personality, sense of understanding of a thing attracted me a lot. We enjoyed a good relationship politically and personally. He was an entrepreneur journalist who set-up and expanded the reach and acceptability of The Pioneer. Dr Mitra as a politician was also equally brilliant who had a deep political sense,†he added.
Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das was also equally shocked to learn about his demise.
“I had first met him in 2005 and he always gave me the right advice. Whenever he visited Ranchi he was sure to meet me and whenever I visited Delhi I used to visit his office. To see his office and staff I was just wondering how this man runs the newspaper like a family,†Das said.
Das said that Dr Mitra was very polite. “And that politeness was part of his personality. Once I was sitting along with him in his office chamber. He called a peon and politely asked whether he could bring tea for us. He was so simple. It is very simple to be difficult but it is too difficult to be simple. To become Dr Mitra is very difficult,†said Das.
Amritanshu Prasad, head of Corporate Affairs of Adani Power Jharkhand, was a junior to Dr Mitra at St Stephen's College, Delhi.
“Dr Mitra rose to so much prominence but he always remembered his juniors and he was quick to recognize them by their first name. I am very shocked to hear about Dr Mitra. We had close association during our St Stephen's days (1973-78). He was not only highly intelligent, but he was also an academically brilliant and gifted person. He was very modest and friendly. We shared special relations due our love for music. I pray to God to give strength to his family. Dr Mitra was a class apart,†said Prasad.
Veteran journalist Dr DP Sharan remembers him as a great journalist. His association with Dr Mitra dates back to 1986 when he and Dr Mitra were in The Statesman.
“Why he died so early. He left this world many things unfinished. He was a self-made man who will be remembered for reviving The Pioneer. He was a prolific writer. He was a good host. His death is a huge loss to journalism,†said Sharan, who had also worked as consulting editor of the Jharkhand edition of The Pioneer.
Former IPS officer and chairperson of JPSC Amitabh Choudhary said that he was equally shocked over his death. “We knew each other from 2005. He was an avid cricket lover and he often used to visit the under construction cricket stadium in Ranchi. He was a thorough gentleman and he would always insist you with good food and win your heart with hospitality,†said Choudhary.
