New Delhi: Former Editor of The Times of India and veteran columnist Girilal Jain died here early on Monday morning. He is survived by his wife, three daughters and a son.
The septuagenarian journalist was in a coma for the past 17 days after he was operated for liver sclerosis. According to his family members, Mr Jain’s condition deteriorated on Sunday evening. He breathed his last at 3.30 am in the Intensive Care Unit of the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
Well-wishers came to condole the late journalist’s death at his Gulmohar Park residence. Union Cabinet Minister NKP Salve laid a wreath on the Prime Minister’s behalf.
Mr Narasimha Rao in his condolence message, mourned Mr Jain’s death and described him as a distinguished journalist and a prolific reporter, whose death had created a void.
BJP MP Vijaya Raje Scindia and Congress MP Vasant Sathe also came to pay their last respects to Mr Jain at his residence. Former Governor of Kashmir Jagmohan was among the first to visit Mr Jain’s family.
The cremation ceremony at Nigam Bodh Ghat witnessed many of the family’s sympathisers bidding their farewell to the mortal remains of Mr Jain. BJP leaders LK Advani, MM Joshi and KN Sahani were present through the larger part of the funeral.
The BJP said that in the death of Mr Jain, the country had lost an “outstanding journalist, a great thinker and an ardent nationalist”.
In his condolence message, BJP President L K Advani grieved the loss of a personal friend “whose sage advice I always valued immediately”. The Congress was represented by Mr Gadgil.
Uthaoni ceremony is at 9.00 am on Tuesday at the Jains’ Gulmohar Park residence.
The Pioneer, 20 July 1993