New Delhi: Veteran Odisha journalist Ashutosh Mishra passed away at 68 on Sunday (March 8) night. He will be cremated today (March 10) at Satya Nagar Crematorium. Mishra is survived by his wife Saroj, a son and a daughter.The Wire pays tribute to Mishra, who was a contributor, and wrote regularly for the news website. His reports provided an insight on Odisha’s political landscape and often highlighted instances of communal violence and caste-based discrimination which are on the rise in the state.In his almost four-decade-long career, Mishra worked with The Times of India, The Pioneer and The Telegraph and other publications.Originally from Varanasi, his father migrated to Rourkela in Odisha as a government school teacher. Mishra grew up in the steel city, picking up nuances of Odisha’s politics and culture. He and his family made Odisha as their home. His friends say that his Oriya was perhaps more fluent than his Hindi.Having worked for various publications, Mishra was a familiar face in the press room of the Bhubaneswar’s telecom department in the pre-digital age, where he alongside his other journalistic colleagues from different publications would quickly type out their stories on a typewriter and send it via telex to his publication.Several journalists and politicians condoled Mishra’s sudden demise.Senior journalist Priyaranjan Sahu said, “There was a typewriter in the Press Room, which we used to type our reports before sending by telex. I was amazed at the speed at which Ashutosh typed his copies out directly on the typewriter, without preparing it beforehand on a piece of paper. I learnt how to write an effective intro to a copy from him. His presence made the Press Room lively because he left everyone in splits with his jokes and humourous take on everything. Often he was the pillion rider on my scooter, constantly cracking jokes.”His colleagues remember him as a person with an unimpeachable sense of integrity and honesty, and as having spent a life without taking a favour from people in power, although he would constantly be amidst them for reporting.Odisha chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi mourned Mishra’s demise calling it an “irreplaceable loss”.“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of senior journalist Ashutosh Mishra. His demise is an irreplaceable loss to the world of journalism in Odisha. While conveying condolences to the bereaved family members, I pray to Lord Shri Jagannath for the peaceful departure of the departed soul. Om Shanti,” Majhi wrote on X. Formed Odisha chief minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik also condoled Mishra’s death.“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Odisha’s senior journalist Ashutosh Mishra. His contributions throughout his long career in journalism will always remain memorable. Along with praying for the eternal peace of his immortal soul, I convey my condolences to his bereaved family,” Patnaik said on X.Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Mishra “carved out a unique identity in the fields of journalism and political analysis”.“I am deeply saddened and heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of senior journalist Ashutosh Mishra. He had carved out a unique identity in the fields of journalism and political analysis. His departure is an irreplaceable loss for Odisha’s media world. While praying for the eternal peace of his soul, I extend my condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti,” Pradhan wrote on X.Paying tribute to Mishra, BJD MP Manas Mangaraj said that his contribution to journalism will be remembered.“Deeply saddened to hear about the passing away of senior journalist Ashutosh Mishra. Known for his sharp political insights, his contribution to journalism will continue to be remembered through the impact of his writings. My deep condolences to the bereaved family. Praying for the departed soul. Om Shanti,” he mentioned in a post on X.Former Union minister and Congress Odisha state unit president Bhakta Charan Das underlined that Mishra’s “service to journalism will always remain a source of inspiration”.“Deeply saddened by the demise of senior journalist Shri Ashutosh Mishra. His dedicated service to journalism will always remain a source of inspiration. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. Praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul,” Das wrote on X.This article is updated with Ashutosh Mishra’s background details and Priyaranjan Sahu’s quote and republished at 2.28 pm on the same day.