An internationally recognized Indian reporter has died unexpectedly after suffering a sudden heart attack at 54 years old.
Pankaj Khelkar, a reporter for English language news outlet India Today, dropped dead over the weekend, according to reports.
Khelkar became a prominent figure during the pandemic due to his promotion of Covid vaccines.
The reporter, who was popular among English-speaking Indians around the world, warned the public that they must “stop the spread” of Covid by taking the experimental shots.
In April 2021, Khelkar shared a photo of himself receiving the Covid jab on social media.
He also live-streamed it.
Sharing a picture of himself getting the injection, Khelkar wrote: “I took the vaccine. Did you?”
“Be responsible,” he warned.
“Take the vaccine.”
I took the vaccine. Did you?#stopthespread #breakthechain
Be responsible. Take the vaccine.@PMOIndia @PawarSpeaks @IndiaToday @aajtak @aroonpurie @supriyapd @rahulkanwal @milindkhandekar @sahiljoshii @sachinsingh1010 @seemakrgupta @OfficeofUT @AjitPawarSpeaks @supriya_sule pic.twitter.com/3Mp5kW4fQY
— Pankaj Khelkar (@Pkhelkar) April 8, 2021
“Shocked to the core at the sudden passing of senior journalist and my colleague Pankaj Khelkar,” wrote historian and author Dhaval Kulkarni.
“Om Shanti. Go well, my friend.”
Shivajinagar MLA Siddharth Shirole expressed his grief, saying:
“Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Senior Journalist