Senior journalist, Tilak Rai passed away after a prolonged illness today. He was 56.
Rai was admitted to NEIGRIHMs after he complained of uneasiness.
Born on February 4, 1965, ‘Tilak’ to his peers and ‘Bah’ to his forever long line of cub reporters, he was known and acknowledged for his keen sense of news and drive to close a story at the earliest but thoroughly. A product of Little Flower School, Malki he completed his graduation from St. Anthony’s College in the late 80s and then embarked on his remarkable journey of journalism.
Tilak was widely known and sometimes feared for his astute sense of unseen news and his keen drive to elicit information from anyone. It was never a challenge for him to cajole, induce or coerce someone for a story. He had that much wind in his sail even on a dry day.
Prolific in English, Hindi, Nepali and Khasi, Tilak began his journalistic foray with U Lum Shyllong a popular weekly Khasi in 1986-87 which was published by Bah Bindo M Lanong. Then came the rush of print journalism and he had a brief stint with Shillong Times after which he continued his writing with Meghalaya Guardian.
Forever on the move and exploring new avenues, he then joined the Indian Express in 1997 where he not only interviewed numerous dignitaries and celebrities; but closely interacted with quite a few of them much to the envy of his peers and officials on many occasions. Raj Bhavan, the State Assembly and Secretariat were his favourite hunting grounds, and he maintained a very cordial love-hate relationship with the Who’s Who of Meghalaya and even outside.
He then quit the Indian Express in 2003 to introduce a new concept of news dissemination with the launch of ‘Evening Mail’ an evening daily which hit the stands at 4pm every day. Tilak also was the first to start an online news portal in the State ‘Oh Meghalaya’ in 2008 which still receives ample visitors till date.
The Shillong Press Club has expressed profound grief and sorrow at the unfortunate passing away of yet another strong pillar of journalism of Meghalaya.
“Tilak Rai will be remembered as the first self-made journalist in the State who unlike his contemporaries was not publisher, editor and reporter all at once only to wind up after a little time. He stuck to hardcore reporting eventually working in one of the biggest news houses in the country and culminating in launching novel projects of his own,” SPC president David Laitphlang said.
“The journalist fraternity has lost a great soul, learned journalist and scholar, humble personality and above all, a towering elder brotherly figure who will be extremely tough to replace,” the SPC said.
IPR minister, James Sangma also condole the untimely demise of the senior journalist and said his dedication to his craft will continue to inspire many.
“My heartfelt condolences on the passing away of senior journalist Shri. Tilak Rai. He was one of the stalwarts who contributed immensely to the media fraternity in Meghalaya. His dedication to his craft will continue to inspire many. May his family be given the strength in this time of grief. May he rest in eternal bliss,” Sangma said on his social media handles.
UDP chief adviser, Bindo M Lanong also remembered Tilak as an active and brilliant young man who was talented and dynamic. “He not only reported on the daily affairs but investigative journalism. He was a dedicated person to his profession. Loss to journalist fraternity of the state,” Lanong said.
