New Delhi: Jagdish Thakkar(72), who served as Public Relation Officer(PRO) of various Chief Ministers of Gujarat including Amarsinh Chandhary, Madhavsinh Solanki, Chimanbhai Patel, Keshubhai Patel, Narendra Modi and later also served as PRO at Prime Minister’s Office under Narendra Modi passed away.

The Prime Minister in his tweet said, ‘Extremely saddened by the demise of Shri Jagdish Thakkar, the PRO in the PMO. Jagdishbhai was a veteran journalist and I had the pleasure of working with him for years, both in Gujarat and in Delhi. He was known for his simplicity and warm-hearted nature.’

Born on 28 February 1946, Jagdish Manubhai Thakkar started his career with Loksatta newspaper in 1967. He als worked for Bhavnagar headquartered Gujarati newspaper Saurashtra Samachar later. His career with Information department in Government of Gujarat started in 1972. He worked as district information officer.

On 29 December, 1983, he was appointed as Gandhinagar based headquarters of Information department in Gandhinagar. It was then Chief Minister Amarsinh Chaudhary who brought Thakkar to Chief Minister’s Office in 1986. Thakkar would now sit in Chief Minister’s office and also attend the meetings and functions of Chief Minister in order to make a press release for Information department. He continued to serve in Chief Minister’s office under various Chief Ministers till 2014. At the age of 58, he was to retire in year 2004 but his tenure was extended by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. Modi took Thakkar to PMO later as his PRO.

Tight-lipped, 70 plus man Thakkar would mostly work as a Press Release Officer in CMO/PMO. Media persons would never get news of CMO or PMO from Thakkar beyond a short press release written by him. He could work under CMs of various political parties as he was non-controversial, he would always understand his boss’s needs, he would hardly take rest and work in long schedule, many times from early morning to late night with his boss, he would maintain secrecy, he would never like him to be a point of discussion, his only focus would be how his boss can be served better. Thakkar on his joining PMO would stay in a room at Gujarat Bhavan, the State government lodging and boarding facility in Delhi. When PM would be on stage, Thakkar would be sitting in one of frontal seats in audience or he would be behind the stage. He would have pen and paper in hand and would make a note which would later go for typing for issuance to media.

Jagdishbhai was admitted in AIIMS in Delhi for treatment since September this year. He passed away in the course of treatment there.

The last rites of Jagdishbhai will be performed at Lodhi Crematorium at 4.15 pm today.

Extremely saddened by the demise of Shri Jagdish Thakkar, the PRO in the PMO. Jagdishbhai was a veteran journalist and I had the pleasure of working with him for years, both in Gujarat and in Delhi. He was known for his simplicity and warm-hearted nature.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 10, 2018

PM @narendramodi met the family of late Shri Jagdish Thakkar and expressed condolences on Jagdishbhai’s unfortunate demise.

Shri Thakkar served as the PRO to PM and had previously worked with various Chief Ministers of Gujarat. He distinguished himself as a veteran journalist. pic.twitter.com/ZTrVCNtD9E

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 10, 2018

The Prime Minister went to AIIMS, where he spent time with the family of late Shri Jagdish Thakkar.

Jagdishbhai is fondly remembered by all those people who interacted closely with him.

Here is a picture of Shri @narendramodi with Shri Thakkar. pic.twitter.com/hi9tmVu1Vs

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 10, 2018

Extremely shocked to hear about the sad demise of Shri Jagdish Thakkar — Pro @PMOIndia. One of the kindest persons I have had the honour of working with, Jagdish bhai was never quick to judge & was not a fair weather friend. (1/2)

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) December 10, 2018

(2/2) Lucky to have worked with him. His kindness & guidance will be sorely missed. My condolences to his loved ones.

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) December 10, 2018

DeshGujarat