CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury’s son Ashish died of Covid-19 at a Gurugram hospital on Thursday morning after a two-week battle with the pandemic. The death of the journalist who would have celebrated his 35th birthday on June 9 was announced by Yechury.
“It is with great sadness that I have to inform that I lost my elder son Ashish Yechury to Covid-19 this morning. I want to thank all those who gave us hope and who treated him — doctors, nurses, frontline health workers, sanitation workers and innumerable others who stood by us,” Yechury wrote on twitter.
Ashish, who studied at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, worked in several publications, including the Times of India in Delhi, before moving to Pune. Journalists who worked with him remembered him as a mild-mannered and warm professional who was knowledgeable and well read. Ashish also worked at NewsLaundry, IBNLive and Pune Mirror earlier.
“We are deeply sorry to announce the passing away this morning (22 April) of Ashish Yechury, son of Sitaram Yechury and Indrani Mazumdar. He died of Covid related complications. He was 35 years old,” the CPI(M) Politburo said in a statement, adding that “deepest condolences to Sitaram and Indrani, his wife Swati, his sister Akhila and all other members of the bereaved family”.
“In this moment of profound grief, my deepest condolences to Shri Sitaram Yechury, his family and loved ones. May you find the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted. “Condolences to Shri Sitaram Yechury Ji and his family on the tragic and untimely demise of his son, Ashish. Om Shanti,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.