Veteran sports activities journalist Harpal Singh Bedi, who lined a number of highs and lows of Indian sports activities in a profession spanning over 4 many years, served because the nationwide Olympic contingent’s press attache in 2012 and charmed the media field along with his inimitable wit and heat, died after extended sickness right here on Saturday. He was 72 and is survived by his spouse Revathi and daughter Pallavi. The previous sports activities editor of the United Information of India (UNI) was among the many tallest figures in Indian sports activities journalism and was working as a consulting editor of the Statesman newspaper for the final couple of years.

His awe-inspiring work expertise included on-ground protection of eight Olympic Video games, “exhausting to rely” Asian Video games, the Commonwealth Video games, World Cups of cricket and hockey, and world and nationwide championships of athletics and different main Olympic sports activities.

To not be forgotten was his capacity to be a mentor to younger journalists within the press field. He may make nervous newbies comfy along with his trademark humour.

“Harpal Singh Bedi was a quintessential newsman, beloved and revered…,” mentioned veteran journalist and sports activities administrator G Rajaraman as he paid tributes to his former colleague.

“His finger was on the heart beat of Indian sport and sports activities administration,” Rajaraman, who will likely be India’s press attache on the upcoming Paris Olympics, instructed PTI.

An in depth buddy of Bishan Singh Bedi, he was additionally usually mistaken for the late Indian spin nice.

“We’re shut buddies you already know, I’m BSB, he’s HSB. We return a great distance,” the previous India captain, who died in 2023 after battling a number of well being issues, had instructed this correspondent as soon as.

An alumnus of the distinguished Jawahar Lal Nehru College, the place he did his Masters and M. Phil from the Faculty of Worldwide Research, Bedi was thought of a father determine in sports activities journalism by his colleagues.

He was witness to the change and development within the nation’s sporting panorama from the time P T Usha attained worldwide fame together with her fourth place end within the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics to the epoch-making gold medal that Abhinav Bindra received within the 2008 Beijing Video games.

Bedi’s fame additionally transcended borders and he turned a preferred determine with Pakistani journalists when he toured the nation with the Indian cricket groups in 2004 and 2005. He fairly actually turned a narrative for the native journalists for his jovial persona.

“His understanding of the Indo-Pak relationship was at par with the perfect international affairs consultants,” Rajaram recalled.

Senior Pakistani sports activities journalist Rasheed Shakoor was amongst those that befriended Bedi throughout these excursions.

“Unke paas khabron ke saath saath lateefon ka bhi khazana hota tha (He was a treasure trove of each information and jokes),” Shakoor instructed PTI.

“His was such a jolly persona. It was really easy to develop into his buddy. I as soon as wrote a chunk about how he was mistaken for Bishan Singh Bedi and was interviewed by a TV channel.

“I known as him for a remark and I keep in mind he laughed a lot and made enjoyable of me for writing about it. Bohot hello pyaare insaan, jo respect dete the, aur badle mein unhe bohot respect milti thi (He was a stunning human being. He gave respect to others and likewise earned a variety of respect).” The one recorded situations of Bedi not being his jovial self within the press field had been the instances when the Indian hockey staff carried out poorly.

A passionate follower of the game, Bedi might be seen muttering beneath his breath in frustration whereas furiously typing his stories a lot to the amusement of his colleagues.

“The one journalist I knew who may chuckle at himself. The press field won’t be the identical with out him,” mentioned Vijay Lokapally, the previous senior editor of ‘The Hindu’.

Nevertheless, Bedi’s well being had deteriorated previously one 12 months and he largely saved to himself.

“Harpal Singh Bedi ji, probably the most cheerful amongst sports activities journalists, is not amongst us. Relaxation in peace,” 2008 Olympic bronze-winning boxer Vijender Singh posted on his social media web page, providing his tributes.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)