APCA Founding Chairman Dileep Padgaonkar passes away

KATHMANDU: Veteran journalist of international fame and founding chairman of Asia Pacific Communication Associates (APCA), Dileep Padgaonkar, passed away in Pune, India, today. He was 72.

Padgaonkar suffered from a massive cardiac arrest on November 18, followed by multiple organ failure. He was on dialysis after his kidneys stopped functioning.

He breathed his last at a private hospital in his hometown Pune this afternoon.

Padgaonkar, the chairman emeritus of APCA  and a former editor of The Times of India, was a consulting editor of TOI. He regularly wrote his column Talking Terms on TOI.

The Himalayan Times Chapter of the Federation of Nepali Journalists has expressed deep condolence over Padgaonkar's passing.

Former Times of India editor Dileep Padgaonkar passes away in Pune | RIP pic.twitter.com/idTQI4sur4

— Times of India (@timesofindia) November 25, 2016

According to The Indian Express, Padgaonkar began his career as a journalist at the age of 24 and joined TOI as its Paris correspondent after receiving a doctorate in humanities from Sorbonne in June 1968.

Padgaonkar was awarded the highest honour of France, the Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, by the French President in 2002.

Padgaonkar served as TOI’s editor for six years from 1988. From 1978 to 1986, he worked with UNESCO in Bangkok and Paris. He served as an interlocutor on Kashmir, appointed by the erstwhile UPA-led government in 2008.

Padgaonkar’s demise has been mourned by many on social media.

The office of the Indian Prime Minister posted a tweet, expressing sorrow over the loss.

Mr. Dileep Padgaonkar was a leading public thinker whose contribution to journalism will always be remembered. Pained by his demise. RIP: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 25, 2016

India’s Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu tweeted out for the late journalist. “Very saddened by passing away of dear friend, veteran journalist Dileep Padgaonkar. Condolences to the family. RIP @dpadgaonkar,” he tweeted.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also tweeted out mourning his demise. “Sad to know about the passing away of Dileep Padgaonkar, one of the most well known editor of our time. #RIP,” he tweeted.

Founding Editor of The Wire, Siddharth Vardarajan, said Padgaonkar's demise was a "terrible loss, feel gutted.” “Just heard that my friend and former editor, Dileep Padgaonkar, passed away in Pune. Terrible loss, feel gutted,” he said on Twitter.

Just heard that my friend and former editor, Dileep Padgaonkar, passed away in Pune. Terrible loss, feel gutted.

— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) November 25, 2016

Saddened by the demise of renowned Journalist, Shri Dileep Padgaonkar. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. RIP.

— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) November 25, 2016

RIP Dileep Padgaonkar, too young to go. Truly young editor in an era of oldies, and among the most non-hierarchical. Generous, erudite & fun

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) November 25, 2016

Terribly saddened to hear that my first boss at @timesofindia and old friend Dileep Padgaonkar has passed away. RIP

— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) November 25, 2016