Sitaram Yechury's 34-year-old son dies of COVID-19; condolences pour in
Communist Party of India (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury's son Ashish Yechury passed away due to complications caused by COVID-19 this morning. The politician himself confirmed the news via Twitter. Ashish, a journalist, who would have turned 35 this June, had been in the ICU since April 12 after the fatal infection spread to his lungs. Condolences have been pouring in from all corners.
Ashish passed away at 5:30 am today at Gurugram hospital
Ashish had been recovering well at Gurugram's Medanta Hospital, people close to the family said, describing that his death at 5:30 am today following a two-week battle with the virus came as a shock. Ashish studied at the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai, and worked at several publications including The Times of India in Delhi, before he moved to Pune.
Yechury confirmed the news on Twitter
"It is with great sadness that I have to inform that I lost my elder son, Ashish Yechury to COVID-19 this morning," Yechury, 68, tweeted. "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."
PM Modi, others condoled the untimely death
Journalists who worked with Ashish remembered him as a mild-mannered and warm professional, describing him as knowledgeable and well-read. Meanwhile, several political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, condoled his untimely death. "Condolences to Shri Sitaram Yechury Ji and his family on the tragic and untimely demise of his son, Ashish. Om Shanti (sic)," PM Modi tweeted.
Grieved beyond words, wrote President Ram Nath Kovind
President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, tweeted, "Grieved beyond words to learn about the untimely demise of Shri Ashish Yechury. In this moment of profound grief, my deepest condolences to Shri Sitaram Yechury, his family and loved ones. May you find the strength to bear this irreparable loss." Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and DMK President MK Stalin also conveyed condolences.
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