OBIT: Gopal Raju, founder of "India Abroad," dies

UPDATE: Listen to a recording of the "Virtual Memorial Service" for Gopal Raju, featuring some of his friends and admirers, April 14, 2008:

Veteran journalist Gopal Raju, founder of India Abroad; IANS news service and the Indian American Center for Political Awareness - and the editor and publisher of three other newspapers - died in New York earlier today. We will gather updates and tributes and funeral information here.

UPDATE FROM VEENA MERCHANT, long-time colleague and friend:

There has been an outpouring of grief and heartfelt words of sympathy at the passing away of Gopal Raju. We are deeply touched by these sentiments and are overwhelmed by the kind of feelings that he generated, not just in the community but all those who came into contact with him.  A lot of people wanted to send flowers for his funeral. In keeping with Mr. Raju's wishes of keeping his funeral purely private and minimalistic, we request mourners to, instead, send a contribution in the name of "Indian American Foundation" - the money will be utilized to fund the causes that Mr Raju held dear.

Indian American Foundation
43 W. 24th St Suite 8b
New York, NY 10010

We deeply appreciate your support and sympathy at his hour.

Right: Gopal Raju at a ceremony in New Delhi in January 2007, where he received one of India's biggest awards from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. PHOTO: Jay Mandal/On Assignment

Post your comments and thoughts, please - or e-mail saja[at]columbia.edu

From Indo-Asian News Service, the news service Raju himself created.

New York, April 10 (IANS) - Gopal Raju, who was a bridge between India and the United States in the fields of media, politics and philanthropy for over half-a-century, died here early Thursday after a brief illness. He was 80.

Raju's death was announced by his long-time colleague and friend Veena Merchant. He died after complications from a weeklong bout of jaundice.

An institution builder, he founded the India Abroad newspaper, the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), the Indian American Foundation (IAF) and the Indian American Center for Political Action (IACPA). At the time of his death, he was the publisher of the weekly newspapers News India-Times, Desi Talk and Gujarat Times.

A pioneering advocate of the two-million Indian diaspora in the US, becoming involved first in the life of their adopted country, and then being a link to their homeland, he made India Abroad his passion for serving as an information bridge between the community and their native country.

Later, he founded the IACPA in 1993, which extended this community involvement to US politics from Washington to state and local levels.

Under the Center's tutelage he placed about 200 Indian American interns with Congressional and Senate lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

The IAF, which he launched in the 1970s, mobilised millions of dollars in contributions for education, health, social development and disaster relief projects in India, also helping rebuild many homes left devastated by the earthquake in Latur in Maharashtra and Kutch in Gujarat.

Former prime minister I.K. Gujral, who knew him well, said: "He was a institution and also the most significant bridge between India and America. His contribution in setting up India Abroad and a number of other Indian papers in North America speaks a lot about his initiatives. The foundation that he set up and the response he was getting made us feel proud of him and his work."

True to his shy and self-effacing nature, Raju left instructions shortly before he died for a private funeral "without any fuss".

He was honored both in his native and adopted lands. Then president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam last year awarded him the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman for his contributions to India and its diaspora.

In 2004, he received the Ellis Island award honoring immigrants for their contributions to the US, and in 2000 the Asia Society's Leadership Award. The US-based Taraknath Das Foundation conferred its 2006 award on Raju.

Raju, who arrived here in 1950, tried his hand at several businesses, running a travel agency and a restaurant, before settling on publishing.

The often excessively reticent Raju had the mental make-up of an old world publisher who did not enjoy a high public profile.

"My job is to publish a quality newspaper and not to project myself," was one of his favourite refrains.

It was because of that philosophy that India Abroad went on to become the most credible Indian American publication, which The Economist of London once described as a weekly of "unusually high quality".

One of his unfulfilled dreams was to create an overarching diasporic Indian publication worldwide that would watch over the 25 million strong expatriate Indian community around the globe.

"Raju paved the way for every Indian journalist working in the US today. He was also tremendously supportive of SAJA (South Asian Journalists Association) and my own work," said Sreenath Sreenivasan, dean of students at Columbia Journalism School.

Raju ran the India Abroad Fellowship Programme for several years at Columbia University.

Although he knew many powerful political figures both in India and the US he never made it a habit to leverage his contacts, nor bothered to be seen with them.

H.K. Dua, editor of Tribune and former media advisor to prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, said: "Gopal Raju was a remarkable journalist, always eager to do something more than he had already done and achieved. He was an institution builder. Single-handed, he built India Abroad newspaper and IANS. For most NRIs in the US, the two institutions were windows for knowing about India.

"He loved press freedom. I met him often when he would visit India and a couple of times in New York. He was a well aware man and worked a lot for the people of India."

Please post your comments and thoughts - or e-mail saja[at]columbia.edu

Comments

[Sree Sreenivasan]

Mr. Raju (I found it tough to call him "Gopal," as he insisted) paved the way for every Indian journalist working in the U.S. today. He was also tremendously supportive of SAJA and my own work. He will be missed terribly.

[Mayank Chhaya]

Mr. Raju's passing brings back so many memories for me, having worked for and known him for close to two decades. Self-effacing to a fault Mr Raju was at his heart an old-world publisher with an exceptionally sharp eye for linguistic and factual inaccuracies. When I spoke to him some ten days ago, askiing him how his health and wealth were, he replied with characteristic brevity, "If I have one, I will have the other."

Sree is absolutely right in saying that he paved the way for every Indian journalist working in the US.

Mayank Chhaya
chooki6@yahoo.com

[Stephen Cohen]

I was amazed at Gopal’s effectiveness, matched only by his modesty and willingness to let others get the glory. He was India at its finest, in America, and leaves behind a great legacy in the form of the publications.

Stephen P. Cohen
Brookings Institution

[Thomas Abraham]

Gopal has been a great help for community mobilization. When the community was spread out all over America, especially in the 1970s and 80s when there was no internet, the community organizations could reach out to the community only through pubilications such as India Abroad. The weekly was forthcoming in helping our community organizations in sensitizing issues of common interest to the community and on issues related to India. The Indian American community will miss him a lot.
Thomas Abraham
Global Organization of People of Indiaian Origin (GOPIO), Inc.
www.gopio.net

[harriet Vidyasagar]

I am sorry to hear this sad news. At the height of the dotcom boom he had the vision to look at a print and online collaboration with us: an online ISP in Washington DC...and we even set up a office in Delhi! The partnership was not to be ....but he leaves us a great legacy.

[Shuja Nawaz]

I was very sorry to hear about Gopal's death. When he started India Abroad, both Pranay Gupte and I used to write for it and also helped edit and lay it out. Our day job was at the Times. The night we went to press, he'd take us out to a grand Indian meal. That was our payment! That is how we often ate at the better restaurants in town.

I remember he took us to the original Tabla when that opened downtown. He gave us free reign in editing the paper, even to the extent of allowing me to write an editorial against India's delay in releasing the Pakistani POWs from East Pakistan (then Bangladesh). Gopal was running his travel business at that time.

I remember him fondly as a perfect gentleman. Very soft spoken and a dapper dresser.

Shuja Nawaz
SAJAforum NOTE: Shuja Nawaz is a veteran Pakistani journalist based in Washington, D.C. and author of "Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within"

[T.P. Sreenivasan]

New York without Gopal Raju seems unreal. Not that he was seen everywhere or he made speeches, but his unseen presence was felt by every Indian in the United States through the pages of India Abroad. He and his newspaper transformed the Indian community beyond recognition and a grateful community admired and respected him. Like the Sphinx, Gopal Raju was a guardian and an inspiration for the Indian community in the United States.

Indian journalism in the United States was synonymous with India Abroad and Gopal Raju when I arrived in New York on my first assignment in the US in 1980. It took me time to meet him and to know him as he was not anxious to cultivate Indian diplomats or to extract stories from them. His mission was to bring the news from India to the community and to get the community together as a force in the United States. I sought him out as I felt that the role played by India at the United Nations deserved more attention in the media. He readily assigned someone to cover the UN, which has become a tradition ever since. He was quiet, dignified and thoughtful even in those early years.

My meetings with Gopal Raju were few and far between over the years I spent in New York and Washington, but I could count on him whenever I felt that any corrective was necessary in any of the stories that appeared in "India Abroad." He appreciated facts, but he remained critical, when necessary, of Indian policies and the functioning of Indian missions. His objectivity and impartiality were beyond question.

One important initiative that he took was to have an internship program on the Hill to give young Indians an opportunity to work with Congressmen. Many of the India Abroad interns became important figures in Congressional circles and helped the Indian Embassy in dealing with the Burton Amendment and the aftermath of the nuclear tests. Gopal Raju took the trouble to come to Washington to attend the annual reception I hosted for the interns.

Since Gopal Raju was not particularly demonstrative in his feelings for people, I was deeply touched by a personal farewell he organized for me at a unique location in Washington to which he had invited all my friends and contacts. He said very little in his toast, but the gesture was eloquent indeed.

India honored him with the Pravasi Samman Award, the least it could do to a man who helped India earn a place abroad. Today´s publicity bonanza for India in the west owes its origins to his pioneering work years ago.

T.P. Sreenivasan
SAJAforum NOTE: T.P. Sreenivasan is a former Indian ambassador to the United Nations, Kenya, Austria and Fiji and now a host and foreign affairs analyst for Asianet, a satellite network based in Kerala.

[Sam Kannappan]

I pray that the soul of Late Gopal Raju rest in place. I have known him when he started India Abroad with cyclostyle pages ( making copies with a roller) for the publication.
Regards,
Sockalingam Sam Kannappan P.E.
Houston, Texas

[Pranay Gupte]

I never believed that Herman Gopal Raju – that was indeed his full name – would ever age.

The last time we met in New York, about a year ago, we dined at an Indian restaurant near Columbus Circle. Allen E. Kaye, the well-known immigration lawyer, had joined us. I had introduced Allen to Gopal nearly four decades ago, when all of us were very much younger. Allen subsequently became a columnist for India Abroad, the newspaper that Gopal had founded to serve the South Asian community in America; his legal practice benefited significantly from his association with Gopal. Allen pioneered the concept of a column on immigration at a time when more and more South Asians sought to come to America. And Gopal, with his intuition for business opportunities, sensed a need for a particular kind of ethnic journalism, a blend of narrative, analysis and service-oriented features.

Both men grew wealthy as a result of their enterprise. As for me – well, you know what they say about those who toil in the vineyards – and, increasingly, the graveyards – of daily journalism. Both men could have retired long ago had they so wished. I neither wished to retire, nor could I have afforded to do so.

As we dined that evening, it occurred to me that Gopal had remained young – in his looks, his spirit, and his mind. There were, to be sure, a strand or two of grey hair, and there were also fewer follicles. The long years since the three of us had first gathered together had made both Allen and I world-weary; not dispirited, of course, but certainly more questioning of whether what we did professionally was truly appreciated in a world that was changing at warp speed.

Gopal had no such doubts. He was, as ever, indomitably optimistic. There would always be a need for newspapers, he said, people would always want to hold something tactile in their hands as they absorbed information. Indeed, when Allen raised the possibility of starting a new publication on immigration, Gopal's first response was, "Let's do it. How about starting next week?"

That was vintage Gopal. It was never to soon to get started on something new, something that would make money, something that would serve readers. And, of course, something that would burnish his own reputation.

Although Gopal was always a soft-spoken man, his reputation mattered to him. He did not let it on how much it mattered. Every now and then, he would cast throwaway lines about some award or the other that he'd been given. But they were throwaway lines: Gopal did not dwell on his success.

It could be argued that had he been more attentive to the notion of temporal success, he would have become far wealthier. It wasn't that he'd not made enough money. Of course he had, not the least when he sold India Abroad a few years ago. It wasn't that the very idea of success did not animate him. Of course it did: it bothered him when readers reacted unfavorably to a story or, worse, when someone refused to renew a subscription. Gopal took everything personally. In anyone else, that sort of continual reaction to events and actions precipitated by others would triggered a cardiac infarction, or possibly even a stroke. But Gopal thrived on stress, it seemed. His face was remarkably unlined; he never raised his voice; his way of relaying his disapproval would be through a telling silence.

Some of that technique involving the use of silence was surely because the one factor that dented his self-confidence was the fact that Gopal stammered. That's why he seldom gave speeches, at least not extemporaneous ones. That's why he rarely appeared on television talk shows. That's why, even at soirees that he was professionally obliged to attend, Gopal was invariably the quietest guest in the room.

He wasn't very quiet when he called me one afternoon in late 1970; he was, in fact, quite agitated. I had just graduated from Brandeis University, and had enrolled at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. At the same time, I worked as a news clerk to A. M. Rosenthal, the legendary editor of the New York Times, where I'd also spent the previous three summers as a copy boy – a lowly position that involved carrying copy and coffee for cantankerous editors, even sweeping the floors and emptying waste baskets that always seemed to overflow with the detritus of discarded paper and remnants of half-eaten fruit. My time at the Times was well before the dawning of the age of the computer. I still remember the rhythmic clacking of Remington and Smith-Corona typewriters as reporters turned out stories under unrelenting deadlines.

And I still remember the first time that Gopal and I spoke. As news clerk to Abe Rosenthal, I occupied a modest desk just behind his swivel chair. That meant anytime Abe had a craving for an apple, I would be dispatched to buy one from the 11th floor cafeteria in the Times building, which was then at 229 West 43rd Street in Manhattan. (The Times last year moved into a steel-and-glass skyscraper on Eighth Avenue nearby.) That also meant that anytime I'd neglected to implement anything that Abe ordered, I would get an earful from him. It meant that I would be privy to Abe's mutterings any time that he was displeased with a reporter's output or an editor's judgment.

On the afternoon that Gopal called me, Abe was actually shouting at me because I'd forgotten to type a memo he'd wanted. Even as he fulminated, my phone rang. It was a man who identified himself as Gopal Raju. Could we meet at once, he asked? It was less a request than a command. I remember thinking to myself, what a strange situation to be in: in one ear the fearsome words of my boss resonated; in my other ear, a man I'd never heard of was, literally, barking an order.

In the event, Gopal and I met at an erstwhile restaurant called Ashoka. It was, in fact, not very far from Columbus Circle. (So on the night that Gopal, Allen and I dined last year, I thought how ironic it was that we were at an eatery not far from one where we'd met very many years ago. Then, as now, Gopal was talking about what he loved best – newspapers.)

That meeting in 1970 at the Ashoka – an establishment that closed down not very long after our meeting because not enough patrons could accept its shabby food and sulky service – was the first of many to follow. Gopal told me that he owned a monthly newspaper titled India Abroad. Its then editor, Prof. Anand Mohan, a distinguished professor at Queens College, had quit in a dispute with Gopal. (It's hard now to imagine anyone having a dispute with Gopal; but one never knows in newspapering.) Gopal wanted me to edit the paper. I demurred because of my double shift – as a graduate student at Columbia, and as Abe Rosenthal's news clerk at the Times.

Nevertheless, the offer was too tempting. It appealed to my own romantic idea of running a newspaper. It appealed to my desire to observe events and convey their narrative to reading audiences. It appealed to my deep craving for becoming a story-teller in the bazaar. At the Times, I ran around the newsroom; at India Abroad, I would run around the city and, perhaps even the nation. When I asked around about Gopal, I learned that there were many good qualities about him – his generosity, his determination, his good cheer, and his good will, among others – and there were some things that are best consigned to the shadows.

At a less impressionable time in my life, I would have been more questioning of him. But during those unusual early weeks after meeting Gopal, I was swept up by the very idea of becoming, well, a real newspaperman, and not merely a copyboy in the newsroom of the greatest newspaper in the world. Perhaps I was being hasty, but Gopal did not discourage me. He had his own reasons; I had mine.

In the event, I did not quit the Times, of course. But I did help Gopal change the paper's schedule from a monthly to a weekly because I was convinced that our readers hungered for more news and views about the Subcontinent. I also persuaded my friend and classmate from Brandeis, Jon Quint, to join me. Jon was at New York University's law school at the time, and he decided that he would write under the nom de plume of "J. Q. Vakil" – his initials, plus the Hindi name of the profession which he would soon join after passing his New York State bar exam.

Jon and I had worked earlier at The Justice, the weekly paper at Brandeis. So we knew a thing or two about production schedules, typography, headlines and deadlines. We got Gopal to subscribe to Reuters, so that India Abroad could become more newsy. We hired a network of stringers in India and elsewhere, particularly in countries that had been the beneficiaries of the Indian Diaspora. India Abroad began getting more ads. Allen Kaye came on board as an immigration columnist. And Gopal Raju, who gave us an immeasurable amount of editorial independence, even started smiling a bit more.

He never smiled more broadly than the time that a Bombay socialite friend of mine, Veena Merchant, came to New York on a visit. At their very first meeting – again at the languishing Ashoka, if I recall correctly – I could tell that something had clicked. Veena's marriage was disintegrating, and Gopal was a bachelor. Not long afterward, they set up house together – and they remained together until Gopal's death this week.

Both Jon Quint and I left after about a year with Gopal at India Abroad. Veena, who'd had some journalistic experience in India, became the editor, and the newspaper flourished further. Our paths diverged. Jon became a successful lawyer on Wall Street. I was made a reporter and, later, a foreign correspondent at the Times. Gopal and Veena fashioned a journalistic empire of sorts, creating more publications.

Our common ground, of course, was India Abroad. When I look at my own life, I realize that I've been so very fortunate to have had mentors like Abe Rosenthal at the Times, friends like Jon Quint, and colleagues like Gopal Raju.

Both Abe and Gopal are gone now, and with them my last links to a youth of monumental dreams, boundless ambition, and the high adventure of embarking on a path – journalism – from which I have never strayed. That youth was a time when my passion for my craft was ignited; that passion is still there, even though I am sliding through middle age now, more skeptical and less trusting of the world around me, my emotional anchor less steady because of a painful divorce.

It is now many years and even more miles of global adventuring later from that afternoon in the fall of 1970 when Abe Rosenthal was shouting in one ear, and Gopal was introducing himself in the other. But I hope that my passion for journalism will never diminish, just as it never lessened with Gopal Raju.

But, you see, Gopal never grew old. The rest of us did. So what was it about that man that kept him forever young?

Pranay Gupte
E-mail: pranaygupte[at]gmail.com
Web Site: http://www.pranaygupte.com
Blog: http://www.pranaygupte.blogspot.com

[Jay Mandal]

It's indeed a sad day and difficult to believe that Mr. Raju is no more with us. My association with Raju Sahib (As I used to call him fondly) goes over 25 years since I landed in the US. How can I forget my first meeting with him at his office?!! At the begining he was surprised to learn that I was "Circumnavigating the Globe" on a bicycle, after a brief chatting he personally took me to the editorial department to introduce to one of his reporters, who did a story on my cycling escaped. In fact very first news story on my cycling adventure in the US was published on India Abroad.
Years later as I started my life as a photojournalist in the US, again it was him who gave me the first break publishing my photographic works.
His office was almost like his second legendary home as he spent most of his time there.
Always dressed well, spoke softly, he was a man of "no nonsense" around. Yes Indeed he paved my way to become a photojournalist. He would be missed by many of us.

[Rajiv Soni]

Sincerest condolences to the grieved family.
May his soul rest in peace.

[Naresh Tanna]

Mr. Raju has made it possible for hundreds of former South Asian students, such as myself, to work on Capitol Hill through his belief in and financial support of the WLP program via the IACPA. Thank you for everything Mr. Raju, you have changed the lives of many. We are at loss without you.

[Parimal Mehta]

It is very sad to hear about Gopal Raju's absence from this world.

I knew him since 1997, when I joined India Abroad as a System Administrator. It was my first break in IT field. As a person Mr. Gopal Raju was very kind hearted and help me and other in time of crisis. Yes all human being are born with special characteristic. But the stronger one remains and remembers throughout the life and spread the fragrance among other's life.

As an IT professional I cannot say much in depth on journalism. But as a reader of newspaper I can see how information in newspaper can impact the life of people, by inspiration, by awareness, by entertainment, and education. All this news also directly or indirectly create profound impact on society, community, country, and global relationship.

I did not knew much about Gopal Raju when he was alive, as he himself remain in low profile in all aspect of life. Yes that is the main essence of GR, and that has preserved his image. After I read all the obituary and comments on this blog by prominent people from our society I realized that we will missed him a lot.

My sincere prayers to almighty to keep GR's soul in peace.

[Ayesha Hakki]

Mr Raju was a pioneer in his field and a cornerstone of the South Asian-American media, not to mention the political arena. His work was an inspiration to literally hundreds of people. Our sincere condolences to his family. Today is indeed a very sad day.

[Sudhir Trivedi-Baltimore, MD]

Sudden and tragic demise of Mr.Gopal Raju is indeed a significant loss for the South Asian Diaspora and especially for India.Mr.Raju was a true trail blazer and distinguished himself in creating an understanding of Political and cultural awareness for Indian Diaspora in USA,a no small task!His keen intellect was evident in establishing a number of political initiatives, forums,newspapers and Political action committees.He educated a number of young and Not so young professionals in understanding that participation in Political process of the country at the grass roots level is critically important.
He deserved all the awards and honors received and more.
May Almighty grant his soul "Nirvana".
He will be missed!
With Heartfelt condolences,
Trivedi Family

[Rajen Anand]

Gopal Raju was a fixture in Indo-American journalism. His void will be felt in all corners of the community. His pioneering work in news paper publishing, founding the Center for Political Awareness, his love for good journalism will mark his legacy.

Good Bye Mr. Raju.

[Arul Louis]

Gopal Raju was the dream publisher any editor anywhere could want.

During the years I worked as the executive editor of India Abroad, he showed two qualities that that distinguished him as such a publisher: An unwavering commitment to media independence and investing money to make newspapers editorially better.

Several times people called threatening to cancel their subscriptions or pull their ads because of something we published.

He never buckled down.

He told me that when I got such calls, I could tell them to go ahead -- and give them the phone numbers of the circulation or ad department. (Of course, that made him a lot of enemies.)

His indomitable commitment to the freedom of the press had already been tested. During the Congress Party's dictatorship of the Emergency (1975-7), the Gandhi government had tried to make India Abroad follow the censorship rules imposed in India. When Raju refused, they try to pressurize him through the travel agency he owned and Air India withheld payments due to it. But Raju scaled back the operations of the travel agency and made India Abroad his main business.

Ironically, that made it a stronger newspaper economically, enabling it to withstand future pressures -- from politicians or even a powerful person wanting to keep his shenanigans out of its pages.

He also invested heavily in the newspaper to make it a publication that -- as he put it -- a doctor or a professional wouldn't be ashamed to display on his coffee table. The retired New York Times copy editors he hired to work for the paper helped make it one of the best edited weeklies. The Economist magazine once praised it as a newspaper of "unusually high quality."

He provided a substantial editorial budget for a newspaper of that size. We could hire stringers in Lebanon to cover the story of a kidnapped Indian professor or fly in a reporter from the U.S. to cover the death of Zia and its aftermath.

Or we could bring out special sections devoted to science, medicine, technology and academia -- the main areas where Indian immigrants then worked in.

Or we could come out with a special edition of the newspaper within 24 hours of the assassination of Indira Gandhi. Or open bureaus in Washington and New Delhi with its own office and full-time reporters. For the Delhi bureau, we even set up a direct satellite communication link in the pre-Internet days.

A spinoff from these investments was what is to become Indo-Asian News Service, now the second largest wire agency in India with operations in several countries.

He believed that Asian Indians in the U.S. should become active in the life of their adopted homeland and India Abroad was the vehicle for it. The newspaper chronicled the political involvement of Indians, while paying close attention to issues affecting them from the municipal level to Washington. It covered the triumphs and trials of Indians -- their achievements and their crimes. India Abroad sent reporters to cover the Democratic and Republican conventions and wrote about politicians' engagement with India at all levels just as it reported on young Indian political activists and Capitol Hill interns.

To get better journalists for his newspaper as well as to provide breaks for promising young people he funded the India Abroad Fellowship program at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism for students from South Asia.

[S.]

I worked for Mr. Raju from 1971 to 1977 full time and then free-lanced for India Abraod for another 15 years. I am in this country because of him and I have remained in the field of Advertising Sales from 1972 to the present because of him. He is my mentor. Though the passage of time made our meetings more and more infrequent, I have literally thought of him every day and he will always be in my heart.

[Nanik Massand, Architect - Massand Group]

I met Gopal Raju in 1977, when he wanted us to design first 5-Star Vegetarian Restaurant near U.N. on East 44th Street - "Madras Woodlands".

I never thought he will, one day become the most celebrated multi media publishing genius.

We will miss his sneaky smile.

[Dilip Chauhan]

Gopal has been a great help for community mobilization. His biggest contribution to the society is IANS.I am surprise he generally not ready to accept awards, honors.. Always try to stay away from media exposures, low profile. When the community was spread out all over America, especially in the 1970s and 80s when there was no internet, the community organizations could reach out to the community only through publications such as India Abroad. The weekly was forthcoming in helping our community organizations in sensitizing issues of common interest to the community and on issues related to India. The Indian American community will miss him a lot.

With Heartfelt condolences,
Dilip Chauhan

[S. Raja Ramnarayan]

I worked for Mr. Raju from 1971 to 1977 full time and then free-lanced for India Abraod for another 15 years. I am in this country because of him and I have remained in the field of Advertising Sales from 1972 to the present because of him. He is my mentor. Though the passage of time made our meetings more and more infrequent, I have literally thought of him every day and he will always be in my heart.
(My name did not appear, hence multiple comments were posted. My apologies).

[Kirit Desai]

Gopal Raju has revealed the script on how to succeed as an Indian abroad without making too many waves in the glamour of media. He remained a silent giant who protected and worked for common good of Indian community here in USA. We need more to follow his path now.

He was a fearless leader for many and we hope that many at SAJA keep that spirit alive without rushing for the spot light in the media. His own life showing his priorities in favor of journalistic freedom over personal glory sets very high standards for professionals today.

We will certainly miss his pioneer-like acumen.

Kirit Desai

[Rahul Walia]

It is indeed a sad day for the South Asian media community today. We have lost a pioneer and a champion of our cause.

His contribution in building what is today's South Asian media landscape will never be forgotten.

He will be missed by all.

Rahul

[Lajwanti Khemlani]

I am sorry to hear the sad news. Mr. Gopal Raju will be missed. I pray that his soul rests in peace. Laju K.

[Tirlok Malik]

We Lost AN Icon of Indian American community.He was an example for his profession.He will continue to live in his legacy behind. He was always very kind and suppotive to me. Upon knowing the News I felt num. May god give strength to the team and friends he left behind.... Tirlok Malik

[Prakash Khatri]

Gopal's contributions to the growing Indian American community in this country will be remembered by generations of Indian Americans. While his talent as a journalist was exemplary, it was his foresight and devotion to sowing the seeds of assimilation into the American society for generations of Indian Americans that will truly be his greatest legacy. The Washington Internship program which he founded and funded personally has benefitted almost two hundred young Indian Americans by sponsoring their internships in Congress for many years. As I have talked to Representatives and Senators, I have been reminded by many that they had an "indian American" intern who had truly impressed them.
The planting of this "internship" seed will, in my opinion, be his greatest legacy for generations to come.

My heartfelt condolences to Veena and the rest of the family.

[Prakash Bhandari,jaipur India]

Gopal Raju's contribution to the Indian diaspora would long be rememberedI heard a lot about him from his old friend Thakur Ranvir Singh, who was in Hollywood and later helped him launch India Abroad with the active support of M.V.Kamath.I also contributed to India A broad thanks to my old association with Tarun Basu and also Subhash Sinha who manged India Abroad office in New delhi.May his sould rest in peace

[Kumar Amitav Chaliha]

First, could someone please be kind enough to send me Veena Merchant's email? Want to send her an email.

Second, just want to make a brief comment. In 1994-95 I worked for Indian Abroad in New York as a reporter and editor after doing my master's in mass comm from Iowa State University. One day in mid 2005 I sent in my resignation and decided to come back to India. A week or so later, there was this call from Mr. Raju. I distincly remember what he said: "People join and leave India Abroad. I have never tried to call them back. This is the first time that I am making such a call. I want to tell you that if you want, we would like you back at India Abroad. Do your soul searching and if you feel you want to come back, give me a call."

May his soul rest in peace!

[Ann Gonsalves]

The news of Mr Raju's sudden demise came as a sudden shock to me and my family, as he was very dear to all of us.

I am sure that Mr.Gopal Raju passed away exactly as he wanted to with no fuss, no aplomb and as part of his last duty till the end.. To me, Mr.Raju will always be the symbol of a self-made hero who earned a great name in his field, singlehandedly, yet shunned any claim to the trappings of fame.

The only consolation if I can say so, is that in a way I had said "good bye" to him in January 2008, before leaving New York. Little did I know that it would be the final one!

Cannot imagine NYC without him. May God grant him eternal rest.

[Dr.Sambhu N.Banik]

It is a very sad news that Gopal Raju is no more.I have known Gopal Raju from the moment he started publishing India Abroad.We became friends and we remained friends ever since.He was one of the great visionaries in the field of Indian journalism who singlehandedly dedicated and committed himself to make India Abroad -the number one ethnic newspaper in North America and a household word.As the President of US-Asia Foundation I organized a fund raising event in Washington D.C.for his India American Center for Political Awareness where he softly but eloquently articulated his dream of providing opprtunities to a number of young and bright Indian American in the political corridor of the Nation's Capital who one day will run for United States Congress,Senate,Governorship and other elected offices in the States and Local Jurisdictions and ultimately the White House.He believed in Dreams followed by actions which is reflected in recent progress in the political front by the Indian Americans.Gopal Raju is an icon and institution by himself who can not really die.He will remain in our memory as an eternal torch of inspiration never to be exinguished.

[Dr J K Jain]

I am sad to hear the news. Gopal was a dear friend and a great man. He was a relentless worker and a founder of private media organizations in most difficult territories. His single minded determination was to disseminate news about India and Indians where ever they are on the globe.

Our most respectful homage.

Dr J K Jain
Chairman
Jain TV group &
Former Member of Parliament.

[Jonathan Hollander]

Almost a dozen years ago, I organized a gathering at the Indian Consulate in New York to explore ways of raising the profile of the Indian arts in the U.S. Sitting in the front row was a petit man who remained quiet but engaged throughout the session. At the end, he buttonholed me and said, "I like your ideas, and I want to help." He invited me to lunch a week or so later and made it clear that his offer to help was tangible. He was willing to write a big check and donate office space and support staff to launch what would become the Indo-American Arts Council. In every way he made good on his offer. This was my introduction to Gopal Raju, who started the IAAC on its path, always the hardest step to take. Many have attended performances, exhibitions, talks and/or film screenings presented by the IAAC since those early days -- and all of us owe a debt of gratitude to Gopal for seeing a need and investing in an answer.

[FN/Frederick Noronha]

I never met Gopal Raju in person, but the work he initiated shaped my writing for over a decade now, first with India Abroad and then with IANS (Indo-Asian News Service).

[MICKEY NIVELLI]

By ascending from his body my 30 years association between Shri Gopal Raju and me DOES NOT END. It has only changed form. He had great faith in every person's eternal spirit. It is for that very reason I received so much help from him for the success of my book "ECHOES OF LOVE FROM HEAVENS ABOVE". Gopal Raju, my dear friend please do continue the connection from your spiritual eternal abode. I'll miss you - MICKEY NIVELLI who you also knew as HARBANCE KUMAR

[Khalid Hasan]

From the Daily Times of Pakistan

Pioneering Indian publisher dies

By Khalid Hasan

WASHINGTON: Gopal Raju, the founder of India Abroad and the
Indo-Asian News Service, died on Thursday in New York after a short
illness. He was 80.

Raju was also the publisher of the weekly newspapers News
India-Times, Desi Talk, and the Gujarat Times. ?Raju paved the way for
every Indian journalist working in the US today,? according to Sreenath
Sreenivasan, the dean of students at the Columbia Journalism School.
In the 1970s, he founded the Indian American Foundation, which raised
millions of dollars for education, health, development, and disaster
relief projects in India. In 1993, he founded the Indian American
Centre for Political Action, which placed Indian-American interns on
Capitol Hill.

Home [www.dailytimes.com.pk] | National [www.dailytimes.com.pk]

[Geeta Citygirl]

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Gopal Raju Jee a number of times. He had a great sense of humor. It is indeed sad to learn of his passing. May his soul rest in peace.

[Kumar Amitav Chaliha]

Hey guys,

I made the comment stated below and not the one shown under my name. there must ne something wrong with your uploading!

Posted by: Prakash Bhandari,jaipur India | April 11, 2008 at 11:16 AM

First, could someone please be kind enough to send me Veena Merchant's email? Want to send her an email.

Second, just want to make a brief comment. In 1994-95 I worked for Indian Abroad in New York as a reporter and editor after doing my master's in mass comm from Iowa State University. One day in mid 2005 I sent in my resignation and decided to come back to India. A week or so later, there was this call from Mr. Raju. I distincly remember what he said: "People join and leave India Abroad. I have never tried to call them back. This is the first time that I am making such a call. I want to tell you that if you want, we would like you back at India Abroad. Do your soul searching and if you feel you want to come back, give me a call."

May his soul rest in peace!

[Raakhee Mirchandani]

I feel deeply indebted to Mr. Raju. His paper provided my parents with a much needed connection to their homeland, something they pined for in our quiet, whitewashed northern NJ town. And since it was the only paper that regularly found its way in to my home, its what I grew up reading. India Abroad provided me my first glimpse in to the world of newspapers, and I've been hooked since then.

--Raakhee Mirchadani

[Jagdish Bhagwati & Padma Desai]

Gopal Raju has passed away. But he will remain in our thoughts always. He built up a great newspaper in the United States and he single-mindedly helped the diaspora here to make its voice felt politically. The situation for us Indians in the US today owes much to him. What a great legacy he has left behind!

Professors Jagdish Bhagwati & Padma Desai
Columbia University, New York

[Matthew Strozier]

Gopal Raju influenced plenty of non-Indian journalists as well, and I'm one of them. My first job was at India in New York. I covered New York politics for the new weekly, and contributed plenty to India Abroad and IANS. I had lots of interest in the Subcontinent, but I'd never been there and had no Indian ethnicity to claim. But Gopal wanted good journalists, and I'm humbled to have met his standard. It's taken lots of newspaper publishers a long time to understand why a diverse newsroom is a good thing. Gopal knew it from the start.

Matthew Strozier
Assistant city editor at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

[pat parthasarathy]

Any well-edited and widely circulated news weekly like India Abroad (though sold out by GR), I suppose, is itself a nation not only communicating primarily within itself but also reaching out to the world at large. To the first Indian generation in USA, GR’s name is inseparable from this news medium. Many an editor might come and go, but it is indeed hard for anyone to come across the like of another outstandingly successful GR because, with the kind of mind-set and strong will he possessed, he worked almost single-handedly in making his dream come true inasmuch as India Abroad had become a household name in many desi families and business houses.

GR will be remembered not only as a pioneer and publisher of the first known Indian weekly newspaper in USA but for his yeoman service to Indians abroad and back at home, particularly to students and seniors, the homeless and disabled. GR has earned an indelible mark in the Indian immigrant history.

[Maria]

I was a reader of India Abroad from quite a few years back, before I ever set foot in the country, and always admired how much the paper covered each week, both what was going on here in the US and over there.

I never met Mr. Raju, but I'd just like to express my appreciation to his family.

PS - I never dreamed that years later, I'd be writing for the paper (I started there in 2006), so I owe Mr. Raju my start in journalism too!

Maria
http://filmiholic.com

[panditjugalkishoreshastri]

nothing is worth doing except what the world says is impossible. Gopal, who defied the impossible and parlayed chutzpa into a news empire, spawned a whole generation of indo-centric intellect in the U.S. What makes his stellar achivement even more remarkable is that in a loudly demonstrative american society, he did it quietly, thanks to his gift of silence.

Outside of miscellaneous freelance writing, i had the pleasure of working briefly on a proposal for Gopal, a kind of an idea report with a mission statement, for a weekly he was about to launch. Another time when coming out of All India Radio DG, shashi kapoor's office in Delhi, we crossed each other as he exited and I went in. with that familiar twinkle in his eye he grabbed my arm, took me aside, and whispered with that mischievous smile, don't mention this to anyone. I kept the word until the purpose of that meeting was public information when he launched his 'radio' in NY. He had been to DG's office for air rights to some of the AIR artists.

the writing community of indian extraction will miss him physically until Gopal passes into mythical reverence. in the higher echelons of 'indo-american' memories
Gopal will hold the first place.

farewell Mr. Raju

[Donald Kaplan]

I just learned the sad news that we've lost one of the true good guys.

Gopla was friend to all, and my deepest condolences to all of his family and friends.

[K. Thomas Oommen]

Many, many years ago Gopal Raju invited me to New York to discuss setting up a bureau in Delhi for India Abroad. My long stint with the AP in Los Angeles and my new base with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication in Delhi may have prompted the invitation.

I will always remember that every evening during the three weeks that I was at the India Abroad office, Gopal would ask me whether I had any plans for dinner and if I was free he would invite me to go with him to a restaurant of my choice. So, we'd step out of the building and into a bar across the street, have a drink or two (I think his choice was always CC-and-soda) and then on to dinner at any but an Indian restaurant, in deference to my plea that I could always eat nan and tandoori chicken at home.

I heard of Gopal's passing away from my son, who ended his message to me with, "He was a good man and he had a good innings." I was glad then that the last time I was in New York, my wife at last met Gopal.

So, from faraway Kerala, a farewell to Gopal, a gentleman to the core. It was an honour and a pleasure to have known him.

[Subodh Chandra]

When the history of the Indian-American community's journey in America is written, that crisply folded weekly of his, India Abroad, will stand out as a tie that bound people across the country to one another and to their motherland. His vision of what the Indian-American community could be in America, while never forgetting its overseas roots, was grounded in hard work and self discipline--just like the community he served. His founding of the India Abroad Center of Political Awareness represented the first concerted effort to introduce Indian-Americans to public service in Washington. Its graduates have gone on to great things.

Few people know how many younger people he encouraged in their careers. During my race for Ohio attorney general, he was encouraging, while at the same time maintaining a journalist's appropriate level of detachment. His gracious inquiries and kind encouragement at dinner will never be forgotten.

I too, could never call this soft-spoken, respected elder, "Gopal." No matter how old I got, I could never catch up, of course. And so, he was simply "Mr. Raju" and the institutions and communications infrastructure he built will grow and thrive from the foundation he laid. It is not surprising that he worked until the end to lay that foundation with his new ventures.

I imagine that somewhere, his soul is still working on deadline. Work in peace, Mr. Raju.

[Ravi Peri]

Mr. Raju ( We all his staff used to call him as Mr. Raju with love and respect) was like a father figure for his staff who worked for him. To my knowledge who ever (any race, national ethnicity) approched him for a job, he never said no to them. I feel so fortunate that I worked under his leadership for 4 years from 1997 to 2000.

He is a true great son of Karnataka, India. He made every Indian here in USA to feel proud of them, he created a voice for Indians through India Abroad. Even though he appread as a tough man, but deep inside his heart he was like tender innocent baby. He is a true role model and a HERO to Indian community, he himslef is a true example of inspirational success strory through never stopping hard work

I respectfully pray god rest his soul in peace. OM SHANTHI OM - PEACE IN THE WORLD PREVALES.

[Kashmira Desai]

Dear Gopal Raju

I heard to Mr. Gopal Raju died on April 14th. I respect to funeral him. I worked with my former boss Mr. Gopal Raju in Gujarat Times Inc. and India Abroad newspaper on 2001. I am deaf girl.

He always pray to God.

Sincerely
Kashmira Desai
Sorenson video relay service 1-866-327-8877 through interpreter sign language
My video phone: 212-686-6303

[ashish dimri]

Dear SAJA,
It's rare that one gets to read about a real contributor.
Kindly accept my condolences on behalf of many Indian readers.
warm regards,
yours,
ashish dimri
New Delhi

[Shantanu Guha Ray, Business Editor, Tehelka]

I was a United News of India (UNI) greenhorn when I first spoke to Gopal Raju over – if I remember correctly – a collect phone call from New Delhi. It means you don’t pay, he pays. He wished me luck on my joining India Abroad. The entire conversation lasted barely 30 seconds, after which, I never interacted with him. Strangely, I lasted for just five months in a weekly where I had freelanced for long, so much so that UNI bosses once told me: “Make up your mind... don’t row two boats.” My choice was clear.

My choice was again instant when I wanted to leave India Abroad. I wanted to get out of Delhi – the reasons being purely personal – with a pregnant wife and Calcutta (it was spelt like that then) was a natural choice. Sadly, Indian Post downed shutters four months later and I spent another three months in wildnerness, stringing for Agence France Presse (AFP) and Asiaweek before returning to Delhi to join The Sunday Observer.

Gopal Raju, India Abroad, all went out of my head and mind for the next decade or so till I heard he had sold India Abroad to rediff.com. I still remain unruffled, ostensibly because I was not working with him.

I eventually met the man at the Delhi Gymkhana, where my former employers had hosted a dinner in his honour. Earlier, during the day Raju had been honoured by the Indian government for his pioneering work among the Indian-American community.

I walked upto him, shook his hand and expressed my profound thanks for something he did I would never forget: A loan of Rs 10,000 for my wedding.

“It made my marriage possible, Sir,” I said, choking with emotion.

In formative years in journalism, you are often in awe of your boss and employers and rarely have the courage to seek personal favours. One favour I saw many taking from him – during my freelancer days and full-time days with India Abroad – was a New York trip. Many went and returned with a Silicon chip on their shoulders. I couldn’t because I didn’t want to leave my wife behind to enjoy the American glory.

The soft-spoken Raju remembered that. He whispered: “I missed you badly. You were a great newsgatherer.” And then he added: “Ever interested in working for me, this time in US, do call me.” He handed me his card.

I was overwhelmed.

Journalism is a peculiar profession. It guarantees you a gatepass to the Prime Minister’s bedroom and all the ego you need on your sleeves but rarely gets you the lucre you need when you plan your wedding (unless you could copy the saving habits of one Chandra Mohan Trikha, a UNI news editor who could beat a SBI cashier hands down anyday). Honestly, the money was more important to me at that point of time than a UNI morning shift (0800-1400 hours).

And that I could not get it from no one in the family, no one in UNI but from a man across the seven seas was something I remember till date. In fact, it was something I narrated to my wife on our first meeting.

Raju could be rolling in millions if he hobnobbed with Indian politicians and hosted them during their visits to the US and, in turn, seek favours. But he did none of that. What he did was both significant and strategic: he gave Indians a voice on the Capitol Hill, founded the Indian American Foundation, raised millions of dollars for education, health, development, and disaster relief projects in India and founded the Indian American Center for Political Action, which placed Indian American interns with Congressional and Senate lawmakers in Washington. That’s for those with greater ambitions. For those with simple ambitions (read journalists), he helped most of them when they landed in an inhospitable New York.

I read of his death from a SAJA message on my Blackberry as I walked out of Corbett Tiger Park. I was sad, very sad. My wife noticed the gloom on my face and asked the reason. I told her the man who made my marriage possible was dead. She knew I was talking about Gopal Raju.

Today’s modern, young aspiring journalists may not need any help – financial or otherwise – when they land in US to pick prestigious degrees from global institutions because they are backed by wealthy parents and loads of scholarships and freebies.

But when they breathe their moments of glory, they need to remember about a low-profile person who created something they all desire when they – for the first time –walk onto the tarmac of a US airport: Its called confidence.

And it's a big thing.

My daughter, my wife and me pray for his departed soul, which has surely found a place in the kingdom of heaven.