Senior journalist S. Dorairaj passes away in Tiruchi

Leaders, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, condole death

Senior journalist S. Dorairaj, 70, who had worked in The Hindu and Frontline, and whose life was dedicated for the upliftment of the downtrodden, passed away at his home in Tiruchi on Saturday after a brief illness.

The son of S. Sriramulu, a Railway employee and S. Jayalakshmi, a homemaker, he did his B.Sc (Botany) from the American College, Madurai, and M.A. (Tamil) from Thiagarajar College of Arts and Science, Madurai. He worked as a journalist in various organisations, including Central News Service, Patriot, English Daily, Link Weekly, Press Trust of India (PTI), News Today (English Eveninger), The Hindu and Frontline. He joined The Hindu Group in August 1997 as a Principal Correspondent at Thoothukudi, and in October 2008, he was transferred to its sister publication Frontline, from where he retired as a Deputy Editor in August 2012. He was engaged as a consultant for two years till August 2014. He is survived by his only daughter Kannamma Dorairaj, a professor at National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi, and his wife Sulochana. “I thank all the leaders, including Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and the journalist community, for showing such love and affection for him and remembering his contribution,” Ms. Kannamma said. The last rites would be held in Tiruchi on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Oyamari crematorium.

Wearing his trademark red helmet, full-sleeve shirt in his favourite colour red, and a shoulder bag he could be seen moving around the city in a two-wheeler. He had friends and contacts everywhere, a remarkable memory and was a stickler for time. He would share his cup of tea when a friend walked in, would be very friendly with even juniors, would speak and explain things in a very elaborate manner. He was a very methodical person and perfectionist, recalled journalists, who worked with him.