Non-conformist journalist Aroon Tikekar is no more

Veteran journalist, an authority on 19th and 20th century Maharashtra history, former president of the Asiatic Society and former editor of Daily Lok Satta, Dr Aroon Tikekar (71) passed away at his Bandra residence on Tuesday morning. He died of a cardiac arrest after suffering from respiratory problems.

Born in a family of authors and journalists, Tikekar was known for his authority on history of Mumbai University (MU) and had penned a book on the subject. A voracious reader, Tikekar was known for his discipline in writing and everything else. He devoted his life to books, and had a personal collection of over 3,000 books. Many, however, don't know that Tikekar was an acclaimed cricketer during his college days and had represented Mumbai University team.

Tikekar worked with the US library of Congress office in New Delhi, after which he joined Times of India as reference section chief and played an important role when the official history of the paper was written in 1988 – the year it completed 150 years. Tikekar played an important role as the archival research chief while working with legendary people, such as RK Lele. He also worked as the visiting faculty for journalism in Pune and Mumbai University.

After working with the Times group, Tikekar joined Lok Satta as its editor. Between 1991 and 2002, he created his unique position as the first editor of a Marathi newspaper, who was a prolific writer in both English and Marathi. During the same period, his contemporary Kumar Ketkar also rose to the post of editor of Maharashtra Times, which marked the end of an era of legendary Govind Talwalkar and Madhav Gadkari.

After Gadkari's retirement, Tikekar, as chief editor of Lok Satta, started new supplements and always pleaded the case for regional newspapers. He used to insist on the term "regional language press", rather than vernacular, which according to him was derogatory.

Known for his high moral values, Tikekar used to say, "Editors should be read, not seen." Eventually, he went on to write preface for a book on late Vilasrao Deshmukh. He also edited the compilation of speeches given by NCP chief Sharad Pawar in the Parliament. Not only that, Tikekar penned over 20 books in English and Marathi.

His PhD thesis was published as a book, in which he worked on Kincaids, the father-son duo who worked in India as civil service officers in pre-Independence era. Tikekar always used to identify himself as a non-conformist, liberal editor. He wrote columns in Lok Satta, which were later published as books. His writings in Taartamya and Jan-Man columns were legendary, with one reminding the entire system of rationalism and conscience, and the other exploring the cultural aspects being phased out during the course of development.

Pawar said the contribution by Tikekar was so immense that it would be remembered by many generations of journalists to come. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his condolence message, said the state lost a versatile editor. Fadnavis said that Tikekar, who was known for his research-based rational writing, had elevated the stature of the post of editor. Minister for education and culture, Vinod Tawde, said the state has lost an editor who created and preserved the standards in journalism.

Veteran journalist and Tikekar's contemporary Kumar Ketkar said Marathi newspaper industry has lost the last of its Englishmen, since Tikekar was a voracious reader and there was no editor in Marathi press who could have read so many English books. Ketkar said there was a general impression that Tikekar was strict and reserved, but having a chat with him was always a joyful experience.