SHILLONG, AUG 26: The sudden and untimely demise of veteran Meghalaya’s journalist and the Shillong Press Club senior member Suraj Joshi on Sunday night was mourned by his colleagues, friends and well wishers at the Shillong Press Club (SPC) on Monday afternoon even as his mortal remain was taken to his parental home at Mawprem to enable his near and dear to pay their last obeisance before being put to an eternal rest at the Jhulapara crematorium.
In his forties, the endearing Joshi breathed his last at his residence at Laitumkhrah and is survived by his wife and two school going children. With an aged mother staying at Mawprem, his mortal remain was taken to his parental home to enable her to have a glimpse of her youngest son before the burial.
The untimely death of Joshi who served untiringly for the last twenty-four years in different newspapers of Meghalaya shocked not only his media colleagues but also those who knew him. A talented sports reporter, football being his forte, many recalled his contribution in enriching sports journalism in Meghalaya.
A hurriedly convened condolence meeting held at SPC saw not only journalists but also others flocking in to share the grief of his media colleagues and family members.
Joshi’s media colleagues recalled with journey from a cub reporter in the Pateng Mynta newspaper in 1989 to becoming a veteran journalist who’s reporting of I-League matches set a new benchmark in the sport reporting in Meghalaya.
During his over two decades journalistic career he had worked for newspapers like The Shillong Times, Meghalaya Guardian, wrote for Sun magazine also contributed to the news bulletin of All India Football Federation (AIFF), all the English and vernacular dailies in the state religiously carried his I-League football report.
Before being appointed as the media manager of the Rangdajied Football Club, he was also the founding member and associate editor of the news website www.ohmeghalaya.com.
Those within and outside the journalistic circle who came rushing the SPC for the condolence meeting not only recalled Joshi’s contribution toward journalism in the state, but also spoke glowingly about his humanistic persona that endeared him to all who came in touch with him.
A one minute silence was also observed to pay respect to the departed soul during the condolence meeting.
The sharddha ceremony will be held at his Mawprem residence on September 6 from 1 pm onwards. –By Our Reporter
RIP Joshi…
He was drinking too much becoz his wife hardly cared for him.. his pained heart was disguised beautifully by his smile and warm heart.. sad.
Suraj was not only a dear friend but a very sober, gentle, caring and fun loving human being. He was kind of person who never had any complexities in life. His “happy-Go-Lucky” nature is what bound us together since we first met…years ago. I never imagined that his life would end this way…May his Soul rest in eternal peace.
one thing for sure was the guy was good hearted. the last i saw him was in NEIGHRIMS on 30th or 31st of july. he was there for one of his tenants. says a lot about him. knew him through rotaract club where he did a lot of social work. spread joy wherever u r