Senior journalist Vinod Dua passed away at the age of 67 on Saturday. The Padmashri recipient's daughter, actress-comedienne Mallika Dua informed with a heartbreaking note on social media. A few months ago, Mr Dua had tested positive for COVID-19 along with his wife Dr Padmavati Dua, who succumbed to the virus in June after a long battle. Reportedly, the senior journalist had post-infection health issues and was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit of Apollo Hospital in Delhi last week.
Remembering her Papaji, who was her best friend, Mallika shared a lively and happy picture of Mr Dua on Instagram. "Very few live as large and glorious a life as you did. Always up for a good time. Always ready for a challenge. Loved a good fight. Always there for his children. A self made, lion-hearted legend who roared in rebellion till his last breath. He feared nothing, least of all death. Thank you for being the BEST dad in the world. I’m sure you and mama are eating chapli kebab and discussing “Yeh Mallika itna kyun ladti hai sabse. Kaise manage karegi?” The most courageous, irreverent , compassionate and funny man I know. What a guy. An ordinary boy born in Nabi Karim who took on the high and mighty and won, till the end. Padmashree Vinod Dua," she wrote.
She added, "Even at your weakest, you gave Indian Journalism a landmark judgment. Journalists in India can no longer be randomly slapped with a sedition case because Vinod Dua fought that fight for them, as he always has. Heaven is just so fucking lucky, it has my whole entire life. We won’t live in fear and grief forever. We will live with pride and gratitude because look at the extraordinary parents we got. I wouldn’t trade my destiny for anything. It gave me Vinod and Chinna. Nobody gets double lucky. Bohot Umda."
Mr Dua is survived by his daughters Bakul Dua, a clinical psychologist, and Mallika. The cremation will take place today.
(Source: Instagram)
