M A I N   N E W S

— A tribute by H K Dua
Prabhash Joshi — The man who felt the pulse of the people

With the death of Prabhash Joshi, journalism in India, particularly Hindi journalism, has lost a towering figure. Not only did he introduce a new idiom into Hindi journalism, he took it close to the people at the grassroots. He founded Jansatta and later on wrote a column Kaagad Kare for years. Week after week, he wrote as if he was conscience of the people - the Aam Admi.

Not only had he the feel of their pulse, Prabhash had a pan-Indian mind, full of insight into life and plural culture of the land. He was a thinker but he did not let the depth of his knowledge become overbearing. He always turned his ideas into simple language, which everybody could understand.

On television, he was always incisive and fearless in comment and often won the day in panel discussions that ended with his wry smile at the innocence of the anchors and other panelists.

His participation in the Sarvodaya movement in his early days took him closer to the people in villages in Madhya Prdesh and helped him come to know about their hopes and despair. He came from the land of the Malwa region of Kumar Gandharava and loved his unique staccato style of classical vocal music.

He also enjoyed having tandoori kababs at Karim’s in Nizammuddin in Delhi, and watching cricket on which he wrote with a rare authority and inimitable simplicity. He died after watching on TV a great innings by Sachin Tendulkar, who he always thought was a genius; and much earlier he saw Kapil Dev, who was to teach his countrymen how to play for victory, grow into a great all-rounder.

The nation is poorer whenever men like Prabhash Joshi fade out of the scene. And I have lost a dear friend. Farewell, Prabhash!