82-yr-old J&K scholar dies on live TV show

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 10

Getting ready for a TV show on Monday morning, Prof Rita Jeetendra (82), a well-known scholar, spoke to the staff of her desire to die with her boots on. Uncannily, minutes later, she was gone — just as she had wished. 

Viewers of “Good Morning J&K” telecast by the Doordarshan station here were shocked to see Rita Jeetendra collapse in the middle of a live interview. She was rushed to a hospital but was declared “brought dead”.

Actor and filmmaker Mushtaq Ali Khan, whose video on the incident went viral on the social media, said, “She had always been an inspiration and I never thought she would go like this… what a way to sign off." 

A former secretary of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), Prof Rita Jeetendra wore many hats. She was a writer and social activist and had served as principal of Women’s College, Jammu, Khan said.  Theatre and TV artiste Mohammad Amin Bhat, who anchors “Good Morning J&K”, said Prof Rita Jeetendra, never afraid of taking up a challenge, served as secretary of the JKAACL during turbulent times (1993 to 1995). 

“Up and about, she was in Srinagar to take part in a short story reading session organised by the cultural academy,” he said.

A condolence meeting was held at the academy’s office here. Medical Superintendent of SMHS Hospital Dr Saleem Tak was quoted as saying she died of a cardiac arrest “that may have taken place due to heart arrhythmia”.