SHILLONG: Former executive editor of The Meghalaya Guardian, SS Jha passed away in Hyderabad following a cardiac arrest on Sunday afternoon. He was 79.
He was associated with the GL publications from 1990 when North East Times, an English daily, was launched by the publication group in Guwahati.
Later, he took charge of The Meghalaya Guardian as executive editor and was posted in Shillong till his retirement in 2014.
Jha had started his career in the media with The Indian Nation newspaper in Bihar before moving to Guwahati following closure of the then famous daily.
He was one of the most familiar faces in the media fraternity during his stint in Shillong and known for his amiable nature and truthfulness.
He leaves behind his wife, two sons, a daughter and a host of relatives.
The Shillong Press Club condoled the death of Jha. In a statement on Sunday, Jha was described as a ‘versatile journalist and wonderful human being to all that came into contact with him’.
The Club said that he encouraged young reporters to work hard and follow their dreams and this will forever be cherished and emulated.
‘Many cub reporters during his tenure at Meghalaya Guardian are now senior journalists and they will always be thankful to Jhaji as he was fondly known for hand holding them and shaping them into seasoned journalists today,’ it added.
