Veteran Odisha journalist Ashutosh Mishra dies at 68
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Veteran Odisha journalist Ashutosh Mishra died at a hospital here, family sources said on Monday.
He was 68.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over Mishra's demise.
Mishra, survived by wife Saroj, a son and a daughter, was active in journalism in Odisha for the last four decades.
"Mishra had a fever since Sunday morning. He watched the T20 World Cup match at home. Later, he complained of pain and was rushed to Capital Hospital, where he breathed his last on Sunday night," they said.
The chief minister in a post on X said, "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of senior journalist Ashutosh Mishra. His demise is an irreplaceable loss to the world of journalism in Odisha. While conveying condolences to the bereaved family members, I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for the peaceful departure of the departed soul. Om Shanti."
Patnaik, in a social media post, said, "I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Odisha's senior journalist Ashutosh Mishra. His contributions throughout his long career in journalism will always remain memorable. Along with praying for the eternal peace of his immortal soul, I convey my condolences to his bereaved family."
Family sources said that the last rites of the veteran journalist would be held after his daughter reaches Bhubaneswar from abroad.
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
