The Editors Guild of India has said that in the passing of Vinod Mehta, the media world has lost a liberal, independent voice and the world of public discourse in India a reflective contributor who spoke his mind without rancour or fear.
The Editors Guild of India said the veteran journalist, who built up several publications, including Outlook in his last innings, was of an exceedingly generous person in spirit and has been a mentor and guide to scores of journalists.
"Gentle in manner and speech, yet firm in his views, he maintained a scrupulous distance and independence from political leaders and parties and was held in great respect by all in media, politics, industry and academia," the Editors Guild of India said in a statement.
"The Editors Guild of India of which he had been president will miss his wise counsel and guiding hand, and the media and the public policy worlds his thoughtful and perceptive observations," the statement added.
Senior journalist Vinod Mehta, who was the editorial chairman of Outlook India magazine, breathed his last earlier in the day after prolonged illness. He was 72 years old.
Mehta was one of the most influential editors and had launched a number of successful publications such as the Sunday Observer, Indian Post, The Independent and The Pioneer (Delhi edition).