Veteran journalist Arun Phanshikar passed away on Thursday morning. His body was found in a well in the compound of his residence in Gorepeth, here. He was 72. He was unmarried.
A well-known and knowledgeable journalist Arun worked for English dailies The Hitavada, Indian Express and Hindustan Times. He was the mentor of many journalists from the city.
His brother, who lives in the same building enquired about him and then lodged a missing complaint with the Sitabuldi police. Police after a frantic search in the city found his body in the well in the residential building compound around 2.30 pm. The body was sent for post-mortem to Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital.
Arun Phanshikar was instrumental in arranging a visit of journalists to Melghat in the Amravati district and brought to the fore the large-scale malnourishment among tribals in the region. He was then the President of the Nagpur Union of Working Journalists. Arun was also an office bearer of Tilak Patrakar Bhavan Trust. He was a resource person in conducting a certificate course in journalism conducted jointly by the Trust and NUWJ.
Sitabuldi police are investigating the cause of death, as no suicide note was fopund on his person or in the residence.
The last rites will be performed at Ambazari Ghat at 11:30 am on Friday.
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