Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network- Udupi
Udupi, Oct 9: Manipal, Oct 9: Former Chairman of Prasar Bharati and veteran journalist Madhav Vittal Kamath died at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal on Thursday October 9 morning. He was 93.
Madhav Vittal Kamath was an Indian journalist. He was the former chairman of Prasar Bharati. He worked as the editor of 'The Sunday Times (India)' for two years during 1967-69 and the Washington Correspondent of 'Times of India' during 1969-78. He also served as editor of 'The Illustrated Weekly of India'.
Kamath was a member of the Executive Committee of MAHE (Deemed University) and at the same time the Honorary President and Honorary Director of the Manipal Institute of Communication. Since many years as a close friend and follower of Manipal Brahmathonsea Madhava Pai, Kamath was the backbone of the TMA Pai foundation. Born in 1921 in Udupi, Kamath completed his BSc in Physics and Chemistry in 1941. For the first five years he worked in the field of Chemistry.
Kamath was the honorary director of School of Communication, Manipal University since its inception in 1997. In fact, he played a major role in starting the Communication institute in Manipal University.
“He died of a cardiac arrest at 7.30 am. He was suffering from spondylosis for sometime,” said Dr (Col) M Dayananda, Medical Superintendent and COO, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal.
The funeral will be held On Thursday October 9 evening. His body will be kept for public viewing at Nutana Ravindra Mandapa in MGM College from 1 to 4 pm and then will be taken to his ancestral house in Kadabettu, Udupi. It will be kept there for an hour after which the funeral will be held. L K Advani will be attending the funeral.
Kamath, celebrated his 93rd birthday in the institute with the faculty and students last month. Perhaps the oldest surviving journalist in the country, Kamath’s contribution to the world of journalism is well-known. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian journalism in 2004 and has written over 50 books, the latest being one on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was perhaps also the last surviving journalist who saw the Tricolour go up and the Union Jack come down when India got Independence.
He was a board member of Manipal University and a great source of inspiration for the students of the School of Communication. “In his death, Manipal University has lost a treasure,” said Dr Ramdas M Pai, Chancellor of the University. “He was greatly responsible for the growth of the institute, which is today among the best communication schools in the country. He will be missed by every single student and faculty alike,” Dr Pai added.
From Daijiworld archives: