We did not agree on anything and everything. We would haggle, discuss and many times we would quietly agree to disagree.
But, we were contemporaries in the world of journalism, comrades in arms, fellow Hindus and most importantly Swayamsevaks. His approach to issues was more pragmatic while I would insist on ‘idealistic or puritan’ line.
Differences apart, Umesh Upadhyay and I have been associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) for decades in continuum. We developed the unique spirit of volunteerism in RSS while we fought for ‘students’ rights’ as frontline activists of ABVP.
Ever blossoming friendship of ours came to an abrupt halt this Sunday. Alas, we lost Umesh Upadhyay in a freak accident at his home. At 64, it was too early for him to go. I was devastated, angry, wee-bit irritated and restless through the night trying to come to terms with Umesh’s loss.
Being ardent pursuers of ‘Hindu’ school of thought has never been easy for either him or me. And, ever smiling Umesh Upadhyay poignantly faced bouquets and brickbats on issues, ideas and even suggestions that he genuinely offered.
I AM DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE DEMISE OF SENIOR JOURNALIST AND WRITER UMESH UPADHYAY JI, WHO MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FIELD OF DIGITAL MEDIA AND TELEVISION. HIS DEMISE IS AN IRREPARABLE LOSS FOR THE WORLD OF JOURNALISM. I EXPRESS MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY IN THIS HOUR OF GRIEF. OM SHANTI!”
— NARENDRA MODI, PRIME MINISTER
As a veteran newsman, President – news at Network18, Umesh Upadhyay juggled between diverse roles with grace personified.
As a newsperson on Doordarshan or other channels like ABP that he served, Umesh Upadhyay oozed with passion in journalistic pursuits. Real life stories to reel life bowled him over from pure professional perspective. Our common interests were journalism, communications, global media and the business of driving right conversations in public life. Umesh went ahead and authored the book, Western media narratives on India: From Gandhi to Modi. He laboriously dissected certain ‘agenda’ based newspersons, media houses and agencies that were abjectly ‘anti-Indian’ in spirit and nature.
Fellow traveler and author Ratan Sharda was quick to point out that only one book was referred to by Umesh while analysing the ‘biased’ reportage of Western media. Sharda buttressed the point that there was hardly empirical research on Western media’s reporting and their unstated agenda till Umesh attempted one.
“THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF UMESH UPADHYAY JI IS A VERY CRUEL AND SHOCKING NEWS. HE WAS A GOOD WRITER, THINKER AND EXPERIMENTAL PERSON. WITH HIS SUDDEN DEMISE, I AM SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF A TRUSTED COLLEAGUE AND CLOSE FRIEND. MAY BHAGWAN GRANT PEACE TO THE DEPARTED SOUL AND GIVE STRENGTH TO HIS FAMILY MEMBERS TO BEAR THIS TRAGIC LOSS. OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI”
— DR MANMOHAN VAIDYA, ALL INDIA EXECUTIVE MEMBER, RSS
Umesh Upadhyay meticulously documented as to how foreign media houses willingly became ‘imperialistic tools’ during Bharat’s fight for Independence from British illegal occupation. He was firm that Western media continued with its tirade even today to deny Bharat the rightful place in comity of nations.
Umesh was outspoken on few issues, methodical in building a case or criticising someone. At other times, he would quietly withdraw as if indicating his decision not to engage in heated exchanges.
Our families had never gone out on outings together. But, the two couples were there at tented city in Ayodhya during January this year to witness the historic ‘Pran Pratishta’ of Shri Ram Lalla at the very site. Umesh was very clear. He never wanted to mix up ‘pranpratishta’ with ‘consecration’ that’s associated with Christianity. Umesh vehemently argued that consecration was ‘officiously making something holy at the Church’. Invoking Bhagwan Ram into the idol through Pran Pratishta, in contrast, was sanctimonious and distinctly different.
“THE SUDDEN DEMISE OF UMESH UPADHYAY JI IS A VERY CRUEL AND SHOCKING NEWS. HE WAS A GOOD WRITER, THINKER AND EXPERIMENTAL PERSON. WITH HIS SUDDEN DEMISE, I AM SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF A TRUSTED COLLEAGUE AND CLOSE FRIEND. MAY BHAGWAN GRANT PEACE TO THE DEPARTED SOUL AND GIVE STRENGTH TO HIS FAMILY MEMBERS TO BEAR THIS TRAGIC LOSS. OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI”
— DR MANMOHAN VAIDYA, ALL INDIA EXECUTIVE MEMBER, RSS
Terminology indicates intent and terms that journalists’ use must convey the right things. None can dispute Umesh on these intricacies given that he rose to prominence during formative years of television journalism in Bharat.RSS was his passion and inseparable part of life for Umesh Upadhyay. Several senior functionaries in Sangh publicly and privately acknowledge contributions of Umesh in shaping the school of thought’s public outreach especially on TV, digital space and social media. Over periodic tea sessions, he would just brighten up at the thought of steering conversations on ‘Hindus,’ ‘Hinduness’ and ‘Hindutva’. He was never a votary of seeing Hindutva as an ‘ism’ or dogmatic thought.
Now, the big question before me: Whom would I fight with on issues to get my thoughts analysed and get clarity? How about the tea sessions at Bengali market, my friend?
I never imagined ever that I may have to write an obit for Umesh!
