Noida: The passing away of journalist Rohit Sardana has come as a shock for the news media industry and his avid viewers. The anchor was battling the Coronavirus infection and suffered a heart attack on Friday morning that claimed his life.


People from all over have expressed shock over the untimely demise and extended condolences to 42-year-old Rohit Sardana's family.


Sardana, who was an executive editor and TV news anchor with Aaj Tak of the India Today Group, is survived by his wife, two daughters and parents.


He was admitted to a Metro hospital in Noida after he tested positive for coronavirus. Reports say his last rites will take place in his hometown of Kurukshetra in Haryana


ALSO READ | Well-Known TV News Anchor Rohit Sardana Passes Away After Heart Attack; Had Contracted Coronavirus


ABP News Senior Anchor and Editor Sumit Awasthi broke down while talking about his friend and ex-colleague Rohit Sardana. Anguished by his death, Awasthi said: "I can't believe I have to talk about Rohit in this manner. Pankaj Jha (Senior Journalist, ABP News) called me today and informed me about Rohit's demise. I couldn't believe it and I am still in a state of shock."



Awasthi expressed concerns for the future of Sardana's two little daughters who were raised in front of them and were like his family members.


"We were able to talk to him the day before yesterday and today he is not with us. He told me he was not in a good condition but will soon get back to the TV screen. May God bless his soul and hope his wife Pramila gets the strength to bear this loss. He's got two small kids and they were born in front of us. I haven't seen a more lively journalist than him. Even during his last days, he was helping people," he said, finding it difficult to speak.


Sumit Awasthi lauded Rohit Sardana's journalistic journey stating how he had achieved all that he had on his own at a very young age. He went on to speak about how both of them began their respective journey as anchors at the same time and he went on to achieve a lot while both shared a cordial relationship throughout.


Senior ABP News journalist Pankaj Jha shared how he wished the news was not true when he was first informed about it. "Till now we heard about others dying due to Covid, today it feels like we lost our own family member," he said.


"His last tweets were about helping people... He called me 4 days ago to get a hospital bed for someone. I am speechless. It is very difficult to say anything," he added.


Another senior ABP News journalist Sanjay Bragta also shared his memories of working with Rohit Sardana and his wife. "He was so giving, rich in terms of his words and focused on his health - ate right. Despite his focus on being healthy, and staying fit he has passed away. His demise is a jolt not just to the world of journalism but for everyone".


In his last days, Rohit Sardana was trying to help people by sharing SOS calls of patients needing Remdesivir, Plasma, ICU beds, and other Covid related treatments while battling the infection himself.



His death has left a void in the hearts of his friends, colleagues, and viewers as everyone wishes for more strength to his family going through the pain and shock of losing him at such an early stage.


Condoling his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter, "Rohit Sardana left us too soon. Full of energy, passionate about India's progress and a kind hearted soul, Rohit will be missed by many people. His untimely demise has left a huge void in the media world. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti."


Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia also condoled the death of Sardana.


Paying tributes to his colleague, news director of Aaj Tak and India Today Rahul Kanwal said his newsroom was in "deep shock" and remembered Sardana as a "sharp young anchor" who never "flinched from asking questions".


 



"Rohit Sardana was the sharpest young anchor I have met. Superb command over Hindi, brilliant with his turn of the phrase, precise questions, clear in his thinking, loved by the masses, warm and humble off the screen, he was destined for great things. Our newsroom is in deep shock," Kanwal tweeted.


"Rohit had greater conviction than most. For many, a right leaning world view is an acquired fad, a means of cultivating popularity. Rohit's views were deeply held & strongly articulated. But he wasn't an andh bhakt & never flinched from asking questions. That's why he was special," he said.