CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury’s eldest son Ashish Yechury passed away due to COVID-19 infection early on Thursday morning.
Ashish, a journalist by profession who would have celebrated his 35th birthday on June 9, had been in ICU since April 12 after the infection spread to his lungs. He was recovering well at Gurgaon’s Medanta Hospital, people close to the family added. They described his sudden death at 5.30 a.m. after a two-week battle with the disease as a shock.
“It is with great sadness that I have to inform that I lost my elder son, Ashish Yechury, to COVID-19 this morning. I want to thank all those who gave us hope and who treated him — doctors, nurses, frontline health workers, sanitation workers and innumerable others who stood by us,” Mr. Yechury tweeted, making the announcement.
Ashish, who studied at the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, worked in several publications, including the Times of India in Delhi, before moving to Pune.
Journalists who worked with him remembered him as a mild-mannered and warm professional who was knowledgeable and well-read.
The CPI(M) Polit Bureau issued a statement announcing the death and offering its condolences to the family.
“We are deeply sorry to announce the passing away this morning (22 April) of Ashish Yechury, son of Sitaram Yechury and Indrani Mazumdar. He died of Covid related complications. He was 35 years old. The Polit Bureau conveys it deepest condolences to Sitaram and Indrani, his wife Swati, his sister Akhila and all other members of the bereaved family,” the statement said.
Surjitt Sahani
