India’s President and Prime Minister yesterday condoled the death of senior journalist Sunil Jain, who succumbed to post-Covid-19 complications on Saturday at New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

“Sunil Jain was an editor known for his candour and forthright views. It was a treat to read his columns. After his untimely demise, his absence will be deeply felt in the world of journalism. My condolences to his family and friends,” President RN Kovind said.

Paying equally handsome tributes to Jain, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “You left us too soon, Sunil Jain. I will miss reading your columns and hearing your frank as well as insightful views on diverse matters. You leave behind an inspiring range of work. Journalism is poorer today, with your sad demise. Condolences to family and friends. Om Shanti.”

Several other politicians, senior journalists and policy-makers paid tributes to Jain, whose father and former editor of Times of India, the late Girilal Jain, was a towering figure in the field of journalism.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed shock at Jain’s death.

Till the time of death, Jain was the managing Editor of business newspaper Financial Express, Press Trust of India reported.

Jain had tested positive for the coronavirus and was admitted at AIIMS.

“We lost my brother Sunil Jain this evening to Covid+its complications. Doctors, staff at AIIMS battled heroically, but the demon was too powerful. May Tirthankaras guide his onward journey; deep gratitude to all who stood by us in these darkest days,” Jain’s sister Sadhya, herself a scribe of repute, tweeted on Saturday.

Anant Goenka, executive director of the Indian Express Group, which owns Financial Express, described Jain as a friend who was of unquestionable integrity and inspired with his professional commitment, the PTI report stated.

“Privileged to have known him, will cherish his passion, balance & wisdom. Your Express family will miss you,” Goenka tweeted.

A regular Twitter user, Jain had posted about his poor health on May 3 and then expressed his thanks in his last tweet on the same day after he was admitted at AIIMS.

“Thank you everyone for all the help. I don’t even know whom all to thank. Am in AIIMS emergency now. So I’’m (in) safe hands,” he had tweeted.