Tribute to Zauqi, ex-group editor, Urdu Rashtriya Sahara, who tests Covid negative, dies of pneumonia
Musharraf Alam Zauqi, former group editor, Urdu Rashtriya Sahara, passed away at 11 am on Monday at a local nursing home after testing Covid negative three days ago.
He will be buried in the evening after sunset.
After suffering pneumonia attack, the 58-year-old journalist was rushed to a local hospital on April 16, but could not survive, said Sameer Ahmad.
When asked was it first pneumonia attack, the deceased’s relative Ahmad told the OT over phone that 10 years ago he had suffered one but since then he was healthy and faced no health issue.
“Surprisingly he tested negative 3 days ago but complained last night if breathlessness and passed away in the morning. It is a great loss to Urdu journalism. He was one of the greatest fiction and script writers and novelists of his time and a versatile genius and associated with the all India Radio for years.
“He was known as a novelist par excellence and had given a new direction to Urdu fiction writing. He had authored several novels. During his brief stint as group Editor, he gave a new literary and journalistic standard to the Urdu Rashtriya Sahara at par with the world standards. He was regular at the Press Club of India,” said AU Asif, member, MC, PCI, who is also based in Okhla.
Zauqi is survived by his wife, who is a short story and script writer. She is unwell for the last many months. They resided at Taj Enclave, Geeta colony, Trans Yamuna.
A resident of Ara in Bihar, he has left behind a son.
