New Delhi: Public Relations Officer (PRO) in the prime minister's office and senior journalist Jagdish Thakkar passed away on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the news on Twitter and condoled his demise, saying he was a wonderful person who loved his work. Thakkar worked with Prime Minister Narendra Modi since his days as the chief minister of Gujarat and had later joined him as PRO. Thakkar, 72, who was unwell for some time, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi.

In a series of Tweets, Modi wrote “Extremely saddened by the demise of Shri Jagdish Thakkar, the PRO in the PMO. Jagdishbhai was a veteran journalist and I had the pleasure of working with him for years, both in Gujarat and in Delhi. He was known for his simplicity and warm-hearted nature,".


“Several journalists would have regularly interacted with Jagdishbhai over the years. He had previously served with many Chief Ministers of Gujarat. We have lost a wonderful person, who loved his work and did it with utmost diligence. Condolences to his family and well wishers.” He added.

Jagdish Thakkar was a PRO in the office of the Chief Minister from 1986 till Modi became Chief Minister of Gujarat. In 2001, he started working with PM Modi. When Modi became the prime minister in 2014, Jagdish Thakkar also came brought to Delhi. Modi and Thakkar's close friendship can be judged by the fact that when Thakkar retired in 2004, Modi extended his term. Since then, he had been working continuously.