Bhubaneswar media persons, this forenoon, in the conference hall of the Information and Public Relations Department, deeply mourned the sad demise of eminent journalist Annada Kumar Roy in an obituary meeting convened by Media Unity for Freedom of Press (MUFP).
With Subhas Chandra Pattanayak in the chair, Bauribandhu Moharana, who had the privilege of working under Roy for a long time, in delivering the introductory speech, described how spotless was he in the profession as well as in personal and social life.
President of the Presidium of Media Unity for Freedom of Press (MUFP) Prasanta Patnaik, convener of the obituary meet, fondly remembered his noble qualities and contributions to language journalism in Orissa. Soft in nature, Roy was strong in adhering to ethics of journalism, he said.
Chief of Sambad news section Gopal Mohapatra paid rich tributes to Roy saying, his role as news editor shall stay a model for generations to come.
Eminent authoress and journalist Ms.Yotsna Routray remembered with reverence the inspiring encouragements and guidance she had received from Roy when she had started her career under him. Her husband and journalist Jimuta Bahan Mangaraj also said in the same light and added, the void created by the demise would hardly be filled up in near future.
Senior journalist Aksaya Kumar Pati said that Roy was a rare instance of gentleness in personal and professional life and shall forever be remembered for his kind gesture to newcomers to the media world.
Vivekananda Jena, Papu Mohanty, Baishnav Jena, Vivekananda Das and Ms. Brahmipriya Samantaray paid glowing tributes to the late doyen of desk journalism. He was a man, who, despite long contribution to journalism, had never run after any recognition, the speakers said, some even trying to hold back tears over the loss.