Rajashekar Koti, 71, Editor of Andolana , a Kannada daily, passed away on Thursday after a massive heart attack.
According to family sources, Mr. Koti, who was in Bengaluru for a programme, complained of discomfort around 1 a.m. and was taken to a private hospital. But he was discharged after examination in the absence of any lingering symptoms. On returning to his room, he suffered a heart attack and passed away around 3 a.m. He is survived by wife and three children.
Mr. Koti’s body was shifted to his residence on the Ramanuja Road here and people from all walks of life queued up to pay their last respects.
A native of Huyilagol village in Gadag district, Mr. Koti, who settled down in Mysuru, espoused socialist values as reflected in the news columns of the daily. Mr. Koti began his journalistic career with Prapancha and Vishwavani publications (now defunct) before launching Andolana in Mysuru in 1972.
A member of the Karnataka Media Academy and a recipient of many awards, Mr. Koti was a strong patron of sports. The last rites were performed without any religious rituals in deference to his sentiments and beliefs, but Mr. Koti was accorded a guard of honour after which the cremation took place late in the evening.
