Veteran journalist and Tamil Nadu Chief of news agency ANI E Gopinath passed away in Chennai on Saturday. He was 88.
One of the longest-serving journalists of Independent India, Gopinath started his career as a scribe around 60 years ago. He covered the first general elections in India after its independence for the Press Trust of India (PTI) and was active till the recently concluded general elections. He was the first Indian journalist to interview the revolutionary Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, who ruled Cuba for a long time.
The veteran journalist was associated with ANI for the last 30 years as the head of ANI Tamil Nadu. Smita Prakash, the editor of ANI, New Delhi tweeted two pictures of Gopinath on Saturday – one with former acting Prime Minister Gulzari Lal Nanda and another with former Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri, in which he is seen standing behind Shastri and writing something on his notepad. “Gopinath Sir with Gulzari Lal Nanda and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Old world journalist who was always behind the scene, reporting the story, never the story. Quintessential agency journalist. He helped us expand ANI’s base in south India,” she tweeted.
Gopinath Sir with Gulzari Lal Nanda and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Old world journalist who was always behind the scene, reporting the story, never the story. Quintessential agency journalist. He helped us expand ANI’s base in south India pic.twitter.com/yZOUVKaAD9
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) June 8, 2019
Tributes poured in from various quarters following the demise of the long-time journalist.
Veteran journalist Gopinath( ANI TN Head), who covered the first post independent elections of India for PTI and the first Indian journalist who had the privilege to interview Che Guevara and Fidal Castro in Cuba has passed away.#RIP
— இளந்தமிழன் 2weets (@tamilfreak) June 8, 2019
With deep sorrow @ANI mourns the passing away of our chief of bureau in Chennai, veteran journalist Gopinath. He was associated with us for over 3 decades. He was a guide for scores of journalists in Chennai. He was an encyclopaedia of TN politics and a go to person for reporters
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) June 8, 2019
ANI expresses deep condolences on demise of veteran journalist E Gopinath, ANI Tamil Nadu head,today.He was associated with ANI for nearly 3 decades. He covered the first polls in independent India&was the first Indian journalist who interviewed Che Guevara & Fidel Castro in Cuba pic.twitter.com/HvhQ1qmvki
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2019
He was my hero. Taught me so much. This void cannot be filled. Till we meet again Gopinath sir https://t.co/ajXijPbsxn
— ishaan prakash (@ishaan_ANI) June 8, 2019
My deepest condolences to the sudden demise of very senior most journalist Mr. Gopinath, my his soul rest in peace and in the light of almighty God.
— R. M. Babu Murugavel (@Babumurugavel) June 8, 2019
Veteran journalist Gopinath( ANI TN Head), who covered the first post independent elections of India for PTI and the first Indian journalist who had the privilege to interview Che Guevara and Fidal Castro in Cuba has passed away.
— meenakshisundaram (@meenakshicinema) June 8, 2019