Veteran journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of Outlook India Vinod Mehta passed away in New Delhi on Sunday.
"Outlook Group announces with deep sadness the demise of its founder Editor-in-Chief and editorial chairman, Vinod Mehta, in New Delhi, today," Outlook Magazine tweeted.
Mehta, 72, was on ventilator for the past few weeks and breathed his last on 8 March at Delhi's AIIMS hospital, according to news reports. He died of multi-organ failure, AIIMS spokesperson Amit Gupta said, reported IBNLive.
He is survived by wife Sumita Paul, also a journalist, who worked with The Pioneer and The Sunday Times of India.
Mehta was born in Rawalpindi in 1942 and was brought up in Lucknow, where his family moved when he was only three years old. He completed his schooling and graduation from Lucknow and later worked as a factory hand in suburban Britain.
He began his career in journalism with Debonair, a men's magazine, where he was appointed for editing. With time, his career began flourishing and Mehta became one of the most influential journalists in India.
Mehta was known to be one of the most eminent journalists in India for his contributions to the field and launching several publications including The Sunday Observer, Indian Post, The Independent, The Pioneer (Delhi edition) and Outlook, where he was the editorial chairman.
Apart from being a noted journalist, Mehta also wrote the biographies of Meena Kumari and Sanjay Gandhi and the most famous memoir Lucknow Boy, which was published in 2011.
People pay tribute to Mehta
Tributes began to pour on social media as soon as the news about the demise of the veteran journalist broke. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the Mehta family in his tweet.
Frank & direct in his opinions, Vinod Mehta will be remembered as a fine journalist & writer. Condolences to his family on his demise.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 8, 2015
#VinodMehta, we agreed often, disagreed sometimes. With principled passion & beliefs. Most of all, a fellow dog lover. You'll be missed. RIP
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) March 8, 2015
Vinod Mehta was one of the few editors I met in my early days in Mumbai. He was generous & direct. Will miss him & his straight forwardness — Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) March 8, 2015
In an era where senior editors are lionised for monetising their contacts within government, Vinod Mehta stood as a great exception.
— SANJAY HEGDE (@sanjayuvacha) March 8, 2015
RIP Mr Vinod Mehta. End of an era of journalism today. Vinod was A visionary journlist full of feelings. Meri bhav bheeni shardhanjali.
— Dayanand Vats (@dayanandvats) March 8, 2015
