Jammu/Srinagar, July 5: Veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Excelsior, S D Rohmetra, passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi Thursday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 73 and is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons.
The end came early today at the AIIMS where he was undergoing treatment for past few days. He was referred to the hospital last week after his condition deteriorated.
He was cremated at Shastri Nagar Cremation Ground this evening. People from various fields attended the cremation of the veteran journalist. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Industries Minister SS Salathia, Finance Minister AR Rather, MoS Home Nasir Aslam, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister DS Rana and top officials from civil and police administration were also present.
After joining United News of India (UNI), Rohmetra later rose to become its Bureau Chief of J&K from 1969 to 1993.
He then became the printer, publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Excelsior, launched in 1965.
Governor N. N. Vohra has condoled the demise of Rohmetra.
In a condolence message, the Governor said that he was saddened to learn about the demise of Rohmetra, who had contributed significantly to the development of English journalism in the State. The Governor conveyed his sympathies to members of the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
On behalf of the Governor, a wreath was laid by Pradeep Gupta, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, on the body of Rohmetra at the Shastri Nagar Cremation Ground, Jammu.
Expressing deep grief over the demise, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that the society has lost its friend and a noble soul while his passing away has created void in journalist fraternity which is very difficult to be filled up.
Describing Rohmetra as an iconic and reputed journalist, Omar Abdullah said that his contribution in this field has been laudable. “People will miss him as their friend and as a writer and editor of quality newspaper”, he said paying tributes to the late Editor.
The Chief Minister in his condolence message issued here this morning conveyed his heartfelt grief to the bereaved family showing solidarity with its members at the moment of crisis. He also conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
The Chief Minister in the afternoon attended the funeral of late Rohmetra at Jammu and conveyed his condolences to the members of the bereaved family.
GK Communications Pvt. Ltd. has also condoled the death, recalling the contribution of Late Rohmetra in the growth of journalism in Jammu and Kashmir. The Editor in Chief Greater Kashmir chaired a condolence meeting in Srinagar in which solidarity was expressed with the bereaved family.
Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, expressed deep sorrow and grief on the demise of S D Rohmetra and offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. “I share the pain and grief of the bereaved family,” he said.
Describing Rohmetra as leading light of journalism in J&K, Azad said that late journalist kept the flame of free expression ablaze even in trying circumstances.
Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah has condoled the demise and has expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
In his condolence message, Dr. Abdullah has said that the void created by the demise of Rohmetra in journalistic fraternity is difficult to be filled up. He has prayed for peace to the departed soul and conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved family.
Former Chief Minister and patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and president of party Mehbooba Mufti have expressed their deep shock and grief over the sad demise.
In their condolence message, PDP described late S D Rohmetra as icon of journalism in Jammu and Kashmir who had contributed a lot in the growth of English journalism in the state.
Spokesman of PDP, Nayeem Akthar, recalled his long association with S D Rohmetra and said that the death was a personal loss to him.  He said that he has lost a personal friend and a noble soul. He termed S D Rohmetra as pioneer in journalism who had founded Daily Excelsior in the year 1965 and took it to the great heights.
Militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased Chief Editor of Daily Excelsior S D Rohmetra. Expressing grief over the demise of the veteran journalist, Hizb Spokesperson Salim Hashmi conveyed sympathies on part of the organization to the family of the deceased.
Prof. Saifuddin Soz, MP, President Jammu & Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee and former Union Minister expressed grief on the demise.
“I feel deeply hurt and anguished over the sad demise of Shri S. D. Rohmetra, a veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Excelsior. A very competent and well versed person in the profession of journalism, Shri Rohmetra wielded a powerful pen,” he said.
Chairman, J&K Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra and Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Muhammad Akbar Lone have also condoled the demise.
The Council of Ministers including Peerzada Muhammad Syeed, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Main Altaf Ahmad, Taj Mohi -ud- Din, R. S Chib, S.S. Salathia, Gh. Hassan Mir, A. G. Malik, Aga Syed Ruhulla, Sham Lal Sharma, Sakina Itoo, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, Ministers of State Nasir Aslam Wani, Javid Ahmed Dar, Manohar Lal, Shabir Ahmed Khan and Ajaz Ahmad Khan have also expressed their deep sorrow and grief over the demise of the veteran journalist.
Director General of Police (DGP), K. Rajendra Kumar has condoled the demise of S. D. Rohmetra. In his condolence message to Kamal Rohmetra, Neeraj Rohmetra and other members of his family, Rajendra recalled his long association with Rohmetra and his contribution to the promotion of healthy journalism in the state.
The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather has expressed his grief over the demise. Immediately after hearing about the news, Rather flew to Jammu to participate in his cremation.
Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla expressed his grief and sorrow over the death.
CPI (M) state secretary and MLA Kulgam Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami expressed profound grief over the demise.
Tarigami prayed for eternal peace for the soul of the deceased. He also conveyed his sympathies to friends and relatives of Rohmetra.
Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand expressed deep sorrow and grief over the sad demise.
The Deputy Chief Minister specially flew from Srinagar and attended the funeral of Rohmetra.
President Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) and Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir has expressed grief and shock over the demise.
The officers and employees of Information Department have condoled the demise.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 5 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 5 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 6 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST