M.L. Kotru, the phenomenon

M.L. Kotru, eminent journalist, author and activist would always be remembered for his role in shaping the future of a large number of youngsters.

- PANKAJ VOHRA

He had perhaps mentored more journalists than anyone of his generation and that is the reason, he is considered a phenomenal personality, whose name would remain etched as one of the finest editors of our time.

With his passing away on Thursday, an era has ended. Although he hailed from Kashmir, his influence and reach was much beyond the hill state, and in the national capital, he was regarded as one of the finest in the trade. On Kashmir affairs, Mohammad Sayed Malik continues to be one of the best-informed journalists, but Kotru Saheb, as he was affectionately called, had his own place in the region.

It may be unfair to view him from the prism of Kashmir alone; he had an incredible understanding of national and internal affairs and his writings for the Stateman and some other papers like Sunday Times, London, shall always be quoted by those who swear by him.

Kotru Saheb was in his nineties and till his last day, lived life on his own terms. At the National Media Centre, he had met Veer Munshi, a distinguished Kashmiri artist, who was his neighbour and invited him to have a drink. Veer was preoccupied and thus politely declined. Kotru Saheb went home and slept early, never to wake up again.

He had a long association with the Press Club of India and was amongst its founding members. He was also the secretary general and president at different times, and at one stage lived virtually in the Club, where he had laid down the rules, many of which are still in place.