Modi mourns death of Cho who introduced him as ''Merchant of Death''

New Delhi, December 7

Offering his condolences to the family of noted journalist and political analyst Cho Ramasawamy who passed away on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday remembered the eminent personality as a dear friend, adding that he was pained by his demise.

Taking to Twitter the Prime Minister posted old video clips of Ramaswamy introducing him at a public event calling him ‘Merchant of Death’.

The feisty Cho Ramaswamy introduces me as the 'Merchant of Death.' Do watch this memorable interaction. https://t.co/2FsF64sVvH

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 7, 2016

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

“Cho Ramaswamy was a multidimensional personality, towering intellectual, great nationalist & fearless voice who was respected and admired. Above all, Cho Ramaswamy was a dear friend. I have been to his annual readers meeting which were an unprecedented editor reader interface,” he said in a series of tweets.

Asserting that Ramaswamy was insightful, frank and brilliant, the Prime Minister expressed his greif at his demise.

Political satirist and founder editor of Tughlak magazine, Srinivasa Iyer Ramaswamy popularly known as Cho Ramaswamy passed away due to cardiac arrest in a Chennai hospital.

He was 82 years old. He was also adviser to former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. He is survived by  wife, a son and a daughter.

His body has been taken to his residence at MRC Nagar where his friends, family and public will pay their last respects.

Taking to Twitter, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Shipping Pon condoled Cho’s demise.

“I deeply saddened on the demise of Multifaceted personality shri.#choRamaswamy. My condolences to his family & Thuklag staff,thousands. Of its readers. May his soul rest in peace,” he said in a series of tweets, Cho was also an actor, comedian, editor, film director and lawyer.

He was popularly known for his unbiased views on political matter and bold nature. His magazine carried critical thoughts and raging views with admirable fearlessness.

He has acted in 89 movies and featured in 15 plays, besides directing five movies and writing the screenplay for another five films. ANI