Grassroots voice falls silent: Journalist Sanjay Thakur passes away at 42
Shimla, July 8,
In a tragic loss to the journalistic community, Sanjay Thakur, Editor of the weekly newspaper Patan Samachar and a prominent voice of the Banjar region in Kullu district, passed away on Tuesday in Chandigarh after a prolonged illness. He was 42.
Sanjay Thakur, a resident of village Patan in Banjar subdivision, was known for his unwavering commitment to grassroots journalism. The elder son of late Neelam Thakur—an equally fearless journalist and founder of Patan Samachar—Sanjay carried forward his father’s legacy with integrity and deep connection to his land and people.
A trained journalist who once worked in Shimla, Sanjay chose to return to his roots and serve his community. His dedication led to his election as the Pradhan of his Panchayat, where he played a key role in bringing basic amenities to remote villages. As a journalist and a local leader, he emerged as a bridge between people’s aspirations and public accountability.
His sudden demise has left the media fraternity and local communities in shock. His last rites will be performed tomorrow morning in his native village Patan.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri expressed deep grief over Sanjay Thakur’s passing. The Chief Minister praised Sanjay’s role in highlighting rural issues and said his contributions to grassroots journalism would be long remembered. Deputy Chief Minister Agnihotri also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
The Working Journalists’ Forum of Himachal Pradesh paid homage to Sanjay Thakur, remembering him as a committed field reporter who stood for truth and development. “His absence will be deeply felt across the rural reporting circuit. Sanjay was a journalist who didn’t just report on villages—he lived their challenges,” the Forum said in its obituary message.
The media fraternity stands united in mourning this irreplaceable loss with the aggrieved family .
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
