Mitra passed away on Sept 1 this year at the age of 66

The Rajya Sabha on Monday paid rich tributes to Dr Chandan Mitra, former MP and editor of The Pioneer.

Dr Mitra passed away on September 1 this year at the age of 66 years.

Hailing Dr Mitra’s contribution, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said he gave special attention to issues pertaining to climate change, urban and rural development, heritage and education.

Reading out the obituary reference to the late MP and eminent journalist soon after the House met for the day, Naidu said his (Dr Mitra’s) deep interest in social issues and culture, enabled Mitra to develop an all-encompassing and accommodative view of the world around him, a quintessential quality required in journalism.

Dr Mitra served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to August 2009, and as a member representing the State of Madhya Pradesh from June 2010 to June 2016.

He also served as the Chairman of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce.

In the passing away of Dr Mitra, the country has lost a veteran journalist and an able parliamentarian, Naidu said. 

Tracking Dr Mitra’s background, Naidu said he was born in December 1954 at Howrah in West Bengal. Dr Mitra was educated at St Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and the Oxford University, the UK.

A journalist, Dr Mitra started his career with The Statesman in Kolkata and went on to serve as the Editor and Managing Director of The Pioneer newspaper.

Besides Dr Mitra, the Upper House on the first day of the Winter Session paid tributes to sitting MP Oscar Fernandes and former MPs KB Shanappa, Hari Singh Nalwa, Monika Das and Abani Roy.