Obituary: Jehangir Pocha

He was the editor-in-chief of NewsX. Friends and colleagues remember him for his sense of humour and a warm personality.

Jehangir Pocha, 47, editor-in-chief of NewsX, is no more. He passed away on July 12 in Gurgaon, due to cardiac arrest. A senior journalist, Pocha had worked with BusinessWorld as its editor. He had also worked as The Boston Globe's Beijing-based Asia correspondent (2003-2007).

His friends and colleagues remember him for his journalistic skills, sense of humour and a warm personality. Myleeta Aga, GM and creative head, Content and Production, BBC Worldwide India knew Pocha since 1990, when they were together part of a college student organisation. "Many years later, when I returned to India and caught up with him as a news journalist of note, it struck me that despite his success, he remained essentially the same. Back in college, Pocha, as we referred to him, always filled the room he entered - when he spoke, we wanted to listen. His quiet confidence and wicked sense of humour catching us off guard, as he chaired late night meetings and caught us napping."

Aga adds that Pocha was always open to ideas, advice and debate. "Whenever a team he was in had to nominate a speaker, he would, in his inimitable style slowly raise his hand and say, 'it's fine, I will do it...' You could always count on him. A good soul with great integrity...we will miss you Jehangir Pocha," she says.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly condoled his death through a tweet. It said, "Jehangir Pocha will be remembered as a leading voice on TV, print and social media. His frank and insightful views on issues will be missed." The first time Raktim Das, former president, NewsX, heard of Pocha was more than a decade ago when he was at Business Today. It was only last September when he got to know and work with him.

Das recalls, "We developed a great connect. His smile, his gentlemanly gestures, his at-times naughty eyes, his understanding and knowledge of issues, his own unique articulation and style - are some of the things that will be with me always. The fact that Jehangir is no more amongst us has not yet sunk in. I just cannot believe it. To me, he was one of the finest journalists India had, someone who always exuded a lot of passion in what he did; who connected with issues he wrote about and who understood what the reader/viewer wanted. May the almighty bless his soul and give strength to his wife and kids."

The Broadcast Editors' Association condoled the sad demise and said in a statement, "It is big loss to the world of TV journalism. Jehangir was a dear colleague of ours and was a guiding force in BEA's activities." Colors CEO Raj Nayak also tweeted, "A friend who tweeted 10 hours ago, who came to meet me few days back to discuss his future plans is suddenly no more @JehangirPocha RIP #Life."

The following tweet from Nayak reads, "Waking up to a tweet to realise that a friend has died is not the best way to get the news. Can't believe you are no more my friend." Pocha is survived by his wife and three children.

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