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Prominent Indian journalist Vinod Mehta passes away

Xinhua, March 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Vinod Mehta, one of India's best known journalists, died here on Sunday of multi-organ failure, doctors said.

The 73-year-old veteran journalist and writer, passed away at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), said Indo- Asian News Service.

Mehta suffered from several neurological issues and had been bed-ridden for three to four months. He was admitted to AIIMS in critical state last week.

Outlook group, which was the last major media group Mehta founded, announced the death of its founder-editor-in-chief "with deep sadness". After ceasing to be its editor, he was its editorial chairman.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet: "Frank and direct in his opinions, Vinod Mehta will be remembered as a fine journalist and writer. Condolences to his family on his demise."

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee also offered his condolences and tweeted that "the eminent journalist made immense contribution to journalism".

Born in Rawalpindi, now in Pakistan, before India's partition, Mehta's family moved to India when he was only three years old. He grew up in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He took up editing "Debonair" in 1974, a men's magazine in India which boasted of serious articles.

He later went on to launch other successful publications such as Sunday Observer, The Pioneer and Outlook. He also founded the Indian Post and The Independent newspapers.

Mehta also authored a biography of Bollywood actress Meena Kumari and Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of slain prime minister Indira Gandhi. His memoir, "Lucknow Boy", came out in 2011. Endi