COMMEMORATION FOR OUR VERY OWN MUMBAI BOY

Dear member, 

Vinod Mehta, who cut his teeth as a journalist in Mumbai, and pioneered some of the best publications in the country, passed away in Delhi on 8 March much before his time was up. It was a rude shock for all those who stood for good journalism; and for hundreds who were mentored by him and had spent the best years of their lives in journalism under his charge. 

The Mumbai Press Club has been receiving a steady stream of requests to hold a commemoration for him. He was indeed a pillar of independent journalism and suffered personally for standing up against corporate control. The least we can do is to all stand together and recognize his contribution. And what better place than the Mumbai Press Club where he was a member and tippler for quite a while? 

The Mumbai Press Club awarded Vinod Mehta the RedInk Award for Journalism for Lifetime Achievement in 2012. When receiving it at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI) Auditorium, he said: "Getting an award is always important; but to get the recognition from my friends in Mumbai where I spent my best years of journalism is especially flattering." 

We have invited a few of his oldest friends and colleagues to speak including Jyoti Punwani, Amrita Abraham, Dina Vakil, Anil Dharkar and Arnab Goswami. Others who would like to say a few words are also welcome. 

The condolence meeting will be held at the Press Club Conference Room, 2.45 PM - Thursday, 19 March, 2015. 

Please pass this on to those might want to attend and are not Press Club members. 

Gurbir Singh
Chairman - Mumbai Press Club