Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of my mentor and editor of The Pioneer, Dr Chandan Mitra. He was two-time Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and a gentleman journalist; not only a fine Editor but an excellent human being with an ability to write on versatile subjects. I enjoyed his columns and speeches not just about politics but also on Bollywood, sports, music, cooking, etc. He was a voice of reason and quite an erudite writer.
There were quite a few things about Chandan (he preferred being addressed to by his first name) that set him apart from high-flying Editors of his times. After our daily editorial meeting in office, he would often drive to Bengali Market to have Gol-gappas... In office get-together parties you could see him at dance shaking a leg with other mates at one moment, and the next he would be seen invading the gathering of junior-most employees with plateful of food and initiating the feast.
I still remember meeting him first in June 1988, when I was a student and struggling as a freelancer for various national dailies. He was the editorial in-charge of Section 2 (Now Delhi Times) of Times of India. I was carrying a sketch of Raj Kapoor, made for Navbharat Times (TOI’s sister publication) in my hand when I introduced myself to Chandan). He welcomed me with a smile, offered me a cup of coffee, and noticed the sketch. He asked me if he could use it for Times of India. I readily, and happily, agreed. The next day it appeared on the front page with the news piece related to the death of the great film legend. I still have a frail copy of the edition.
Later I also worked under his editorship at the HT for a few years and at The Pioneer for more than two decades.
While most cartoonists nurse a grouse against their editors for not giving them creative freedom or desired space, I consider myself lucky enough to work under an editor who gave me complete freedom for my work. I am grateful for the opportunities I was given to scale several heights in my career due to his confidence in me and his continued guidance. RIP Sir, we shall greatly miss you.