Jaitley, Jora, Akhoon visit veteran journalist’s residence
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 6: The condolence messages from India and abroad on the sad and sudden demise of Editor-in-Chief, proprietor and owner of Daily Excelsior, S D Rohmetra who breathed his last yesterday morning at AIIMS, New Delhi, are continuously pouring in Daily Excelsior Office.
The friends and well wishers of Mr Rohmetra and Daily Excelsior are in a state of shock over the sudden demise of the veteran journalist of the State who by the dint of his hard work, dedication and honesty not only took Daily Excelsior to heights but maintained high standards of professionalism.
The SDR’s sudden demise was not only shocking for the well wishers and fans of Daily Excelsior in India but across the globe also.
To express his condolences the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley today visited the residence of Mr Rohmetra. He while expressing his profound grief and sorrow over the demise of Mr Rohmetra conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family.
Lauding the role of Mr Rohmetra he termed him a great nationalist and a veteran journalist who maintained the high standards of professionalism and never compromised on his principles. He said Mr Rohmetra groomed the Excelsior by dint of his hard work and set an example for others in the profession to follow.
He worked with utmost responsibility in this sensitive State by making fareless reporting without bias or compromising on his principles, Mr Jaitley added.
Mr Jaitley was accompanied by BJP national general secretary, J P Nada, state president BJP, Shamsher Singh Manhas, MLA Ashok Khajuria and National Executive Member and state chief spokesperson, Dr Jitendra Singh.
Minister of Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora also visited the residence of Mr Rohmetra and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
Expressing grief over the demise of SDR, Mr Jora described him as courageous journalist who never compromised on the principles of reporting tinted issues of public significance in his newspaper.
The Minister said Mr Rohmetra was an iconic journalist and a dignified personality whose demise has created a vacuum in the field of journalism, which is very difficult to fill up.
Minister of CAPD and Transport Qamar Ali Akhoon and MoS CAPD and Transport Shabir Ahmed Khan also visited the residence of Mr Rohmetra and conveyed their heart felt condolences to bereaved family.
The duo described Mr Rohmetra a great personality and a veteran journalist who set an example for others to follow in the profession of journalism.
The Indian community settled in New Zealand has expressed their profound shock and grief over the sad demise of SDR. In a condolence message through Veer Khar the community conveyed its heart felt sorrow to the bereaved family and staff of Daily Excelsior. “Mr Rohmetra will be always remembered for his bold and impartial journalism’’ the message added.
Sanjeev Gupta and his family from Pensylvania, United States has expressed profound grief and shock over the sad demise of Mr Rohmetra and conveyed their deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.
Prof P L Bakshi from Chicago, USA in his message has expressed his condolences to bereaved family and staff of Daily Excelsior. Prof Bakshi termed SDR that Mr Rohmetra was popularly known as a pioneer in journalism. He also prayed for the peace of the departed soul and courage to bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Prof Harmeet Singh Sudan, Baldev Singh Sudan, N P Singh, Pilot Canada Aviation, Tronto Canada has also conveyed condolences to bereaved family on the sad demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Ashok Ogra, Director of Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication and former Regional Director of Discovery Channel & Animal Planet (South Asia) has expressed his shock and grief over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. He termed Mr Rohmetra as a thorough professional and a guide for youngsters. Mr Ogra said the veteran journalist will always be remembered for maintaining high ethics of professionalism and publics’ right to know without introducing any color into news.
Bushan Bazaz a political leader has also expressed shock and grief over the sudden demise of Mr Rohmetra whom he termed a man of dignity and high principles. He said Mr Rohmetra never compromised on the principles and set an example of ethics and professionalism.
R P Puri from Gurgaon, Haryana while expressing his shock and grief over the demise of SDR described him a man of high qualities and principles who had an attitude of helping others. His demise has created a big void, which will not be filled up soon.
Deputy Speaker State Assembly Sartaj Madni has also expressed his grief and sorrow over the sudden demise of Mr Rohmetra. In his condolence message Madni described SDR as pioneer of journalism in the State who dominated the field for over five decades and set an example for others to follow.
Terming Mr Rohmetra a professional journalist Madni said that being fully aware about the sensitive situation of the State he took utmost care in maintaining the regional balances. Madni conveyed his heartfelt condolences to bereaved family and staff of Daily Excelsior.
The officers and employees of Information Department held a condolence meeting under the chairmanship of Director Information Zaffar Ahmed in which shock and grief was expressed over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. The meeting observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect to departed soul and prayed for the peace of eternal soul.
Former Director Information Narinder Singh has also expressed his shock and grief over the demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu held a condolence meeting under the chairmanship of Y V Sharma in which profound grief and shock was expressed over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. The meeting though a resolution expressed its heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. It described Mr Rohmetra a stalwart and a veteran journalist whose demise will create a vacuum in the field of journalism. This irreparable loss will be difficult to digest both for the public in general and the members of his family and Excelsior staff in particular.
PDP state secretary Fallail Singh has expressed his profound shock and grief over the demise of Mr Rohmetra and termed his death a great loss to world of journalism and society as a whole. He termed Mr Rohmetra a dynamic personality, a man down to earth having caring nature and helpful to others who by dint of his hard work and dedication made Daily Excelsior not only the voice of masses but also a leading daily of the State.
PDP district president R K Bali and other leaders Abhijit Jasrotia and Kuljeet Singh Jamwal have also mourned the demise of Mr Rohmetra.
A condolence meeting was organised by Congress Party at Kishtwar under the chairmanship of former Minister and MLA G M Saroori in which profound grief and shock was expressed over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. The meeting was also attended by State general secretary of the Party Thakur Jughal Bhandari, Mushtaq Ahmed Hap, Mohinder Singh Parihar , Sarfaraz Khan, Asgar Khan and others in which two minutes silence was observed as a mark of respect to departed soul. The meeting also prayed for eternal peace of departed soul and strength to family to bear this irreparable loss.
NC MLC and senior leader Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has also expressed his grief and shock over the demise of SDR and recalled his contribution for the people of the State. He said the void created by his sudden demise will not be filled up for a long time. Mr Rohmetra will be always remembered by the people of the State for his services, he added.
NC Minority Cell held a condolence meeting at its office at Shastri Nagar in which profound grief and shock was expressed over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. The meeting which was chaired by unit president of the Party and district Srinagar vice president, S Harmohinder Singh prayed for the peace of departed soul. It also expressed its total solidarity with the bereaved family at this hour of grief and shock.
Aman Kalsotra, Director Sky High India Social Organization and its all members have expressed profound grief and shock over the demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Kashmir Province Diagnostic Centers Association has also expressed its heartfelt condolence of Mr Rohmetra and prayed almighty to bestow courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Udhampur journalists, Anil Dubey, Romesh Gupta, Pardeep Bakshi, Balraj Bakshi, Krishan Kumar, Sudesh Dubey, K Kumar, Maqbool Hussain Shah, Krishan Khajuria, S Baljeet Singh, Vikramjeet Singh, Arun Gupta, Arvind Manhas, Arun Dev Jasrotia have also condoled the sad and untimely demise of Mr Rohmetra and expressed total solidarity with bereaved family at this hour of grief.
Senior Congress leader and former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil has also expressed his shock and grief over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. Mr Vakil described Mr Rohmetra as an icon of journalism in J&K who contributed a lot in the growth of English journalism in the State.
Doda young journalists have expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. In a meeting here today they paid rich tributes to Mr Rohmetra and recalled his services in the field of journalism. The meeting was attended by A R Asim Faridi, Mukesh K Parihar, Atif Lone, Shahid Amin and others.
Journalist Association Poonch in a meeting under the chairmanship of Harbhajan Singh expressed profound grief and shock over the sad and sudden demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Management, staff and students of Dogra College of Education and Dogra Degree College Bari Brahmana placed on record their heartfelt condolence on the sad demise of Mr Rohmetra a pioneer in journalism. The two colleges in their separate meetings prayed for the peace of departed soul.
J&K Medical Employees Federation in a condolence meeting here today expressed profound grief and shock over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. The leaders and representatives of various Associations affiliated to Federation attended the meeting.
Apex Advisory Council has also mourned the sad demise of S D Rohmetra. In a meeting under the chairmanship of H N Jattu the meeting conveyed its heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. The meeting was also attended by Roshan Lal Raina member of the Apex Advisory Committee.
Sri Sant Mela Singh Ji Technical Ashram Digiana held a condolence meeting today under the chairmanship of Mahant Manjit Singh of Shiromani Dera Nangali Sahib Poonch in which profound grief and shock was expressed over the demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Ajay Gupta Principal NITL Higher Secondary School Udhampur has also condoled the demise of Mr Rohmetra. H L Kak former Advisor to Gas Authority of India (GAIL) while expressing his shock over the demise of Mr Rohmetra recalled his dedication to the job. He said Mr Rohmetra used to work from morning till late evening with dedication and devotion. He said Mr Rohmetra was an embodiment of beauty, grace, integrity and honesty which I found endearing. His paper carried very honest and fair reports not biased by sectarian feelings and he never played to the gallery or to parochialism. His death is a big loss to the civil society of Jammu and media of J&K. He has conveyed his heart felt condolences to the family and prayed for the eternal peace of departed soul.
DCC Doda in a meeting held under DCC president Naresh Kumar Gupta MLC also condoled the demise of Mr Rohmetra, Lok Jan Shakti Party district Kishtwar president Gian Chand Bhagat have also condoled the demise of SDR.
J&K PCC Kissan Khet and Mazdoor Congress in a condolence meeting under the chairmanship of Rajiv Sharma its vice chairman and convener Muzaffar Bhat expressed grief and shock over the demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Pradesh Youth Congress in an emergency meeting under the chairmanship of R S Pathania has expressed profound shock and grief over the demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Kashmiri Pandit Sabha Ambphalla held a condolence meeting under the chairmanship of K K Khosa its president in which profound grief and shock was expressed over the sad and sudden demise of Mr Rohmetra. The meeting said Excelsior under the stewardship of Mr Rohmetra became the voice of the KPs in exile.
Prof A N Sadhu ex president of the Sabha and former HoD Economics Jammu University has also expressed his shock and grief over the sudden demise of Mr Rohmetra and termed him a pioneer of journalism in the State.
Ashok Braroo, Ashwani Kaul, Ashok Khar, Prof Ganju, G J Kampassi, H N Tickoo and other senior members of the Sabha attended the meeting.
Dogra Sadar Sabha Working Committee in its condolence meeting under the chairmanship of Th. Gulchain Singh Charak its president and member CWC has expressed profound grief and shock over the demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Farooq Abdullah News Agency Lal Chowk Srinagar has expressed shock and grief over the demise of Mr Rohmetra and also conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Awami National Conference (ANC) Chairperson Begum Khalida Shah has also condoled the sad demise of Mr Rohmetra and lauded his contributions to the field of journalism.
Kranti Dal held a condolence meeting in which profound grief and shock was expressed over the sad and sudden demise of Mr Rohmetra. The meeting was chaired by Anan Sharma Party chairman. State president KD, Raj Roop Singh, general secretary Preetam Sharma and others attended it. It paid rich tributes to veteran journalist and highlighted his contributions to the field of journalism.
Natrang held a condolence meeting today under the chairmanship of its Director Balwant Thakur in which profound grief and shock was expressed over the demise of Mr Rohmetra. The meeting prayed for the eternal peace of departed soul.
Thakur Randhir Singh president NCP chaired a meeting of the Party here today in which profound grief and shock was expressed over the demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Peer Panchal president, Ramesh Hangloo, Lander Bhamag Jagriti Manch, block Panchari, Dogra Higher Secondary School and Rich Harvest Kindergarten Shastri Nagar Jammu, School Education Officer Association district Reasi, VLCC Health Care Limited Gandhi Nagar, Sanjeev Parihar Chairman SRCO, State Unit of National Trade Union Congress, Raman Sharma, RTI activist, Attitude Change International, Rajiv Raina of Micro Inks, Dr Rajinder Mishra, Sunil Kaul, Media and Communication Officer along staff of Press Information Bureau, Jammu, Shiban Khaibri senior freelancer, Ravinder Kaul, a renowned journalist, J M Behl along with his family members, Comrade Sham Prasad Kesar, regional secretary CPI (M), HM Web House Pvt Ltd, Vikas Gorka, J&K College Teachers Association Jammu Wing, Migrant Teachers Welfare Association, Religious Scholar Pran Nath Bhat Gareeb, Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha, Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, J&K, Private School Association, Kashmir News Network Editor-in-Chief, Income Tax Bar Association, Channi Himmat Residents Association, Sky High India, District Congress Committee Urban Jammu and Ex MLA Om Chopra, Bharat Bushan Arya of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha Jammu, Zahoor Ahmed Bhat president FCIK, JKPCC, Water Works Employees Association, J&K Youth National Conference, Kashmiri Hindu Conference (KHC) president M L Thusso and convener, P L Koul Badgami, Jyotshi Research and Social Services Center, L R Sehgal senior journalist, Kalakote, All J&K Low Paid Government Employees Federation, Namrata Sharma Ex Corporator Ward 70 and Congress leader Rajeev Sharma, Jammu Central Mahajan Sabha, Swami Kashi Bub Ji Mahraj Trust, Shalamar Traders Association, Ravi Rohmetra social worker, Dogra Education Trust, Pradesh Youth Congress J&K, Kashmiri Headlines Editor-in-Chief, Arshad Mir, National Students Union of India, All India Rohmetra Mahajan Biradari, J&K State Pensioners Association, Kanwal Peshin, social activist, J&K ITI Employees United Front president Nazir Ahmed Molvi, Mohammed Gafoor Dar of JKNTUF , Satish Poonchi, president, JKPF, Ch Vikram , president Stone Crusher Association, R NK Pargotra NPP leader, Raj Nath Raina Trade Unionist, Ashok Manhas former Corporator Ward 59, Omi Khajuria BJP leader and Sheela Handoo Ex Corporator, J&K Society of Technocrats, Vivek Gupta district vice president JKNC have expressed their shock and grief over demise of Mr Rohmetra.
Shri Vishavkarma Library members in a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Ram Lal, condoled the sad demise of Editor-in-Chief of Daily Excelsior, S D Rohmetra. The members expressed grief and sorrow and prayed to God to grant peace to the departed soul.
Roop Nagar JDA Housing Colony Welfare Association led by Uttam Deep Sharma also condoled the sad demise of the Editor-in-Chief of this newspaper and expressed sympathy with the family members of Late Rohmetra and staff of the newspaper. A two-minute silence was also observed by the members to pay their respect to the departed soul.
National Party president Dr Randeep Singh Parihar also condoled the sad demise of S D Rohmetra and expressed his deepest sympathy with the bereaved family. Dr Parihar described Late Rohmetra as noble soul and a person down to earth whose contributions in the field of journalism can never be ignored.
National Democratic Party (NDP) in a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of Ravi Bakshi, expressed deep sorrow and grief over the sudden death of S D Rohmetra, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Excelsior. The members observed two minute silence to pay their respect to the departed soul. They termed Late Rohmetra himself as an institution of journalism whose contributions for the society will always be remembered.
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