New Delhi: ThePrint Hindi Editor Renu Agal died Wednesday night, following a tragic road accident on 25 March outside her home. Agal, who had a long stint with BBC as a special correspondent for over 15 years, had sustained serious injuries in the accident.
She is survived by her parents, a sister and brother-in-law.
Her last rites were performed in Noida Thursday.
ThePrint’s Editor in Chief Shekhar Gupta said it is a terrible, heart-breaking loss for all of us at ThePrint.
“She built a formidable Hindi section in no time. Versatile, gifted, and always can-do”, Gupta said.
Renu Agal had joined BBC London as a producer in 1996. She used to host a special programme ‘Nai peedhi’, which was focussed on youth. In 2011, she left BBC to join Penguin Books India Pvt Ltd as a commissioning editor. She later joined Juggernaut Books in 2015 before joining ThePrint Hindi team as a senior editor in October 2018.
She led the Hindi team of the organisation and used to host video shows too, such as Ilanomics and PageTurner.
Geeta Pandey, Women and Social Affairs Editor, BBC Online, was a long time close friend and colleague.
“Renu was a brilliant journalist. She had so much rigour, so many questions and most importantly, she never took sides,’’ she said.
Nandini Mehta, non-fiction editor, Juggernaut Books, who worked with Agal at Penguin and Juggernaut, said what stood out about Renu was her “sparkling intelligence”, and her “twinkling eyes”.
“She always had great, stimulating ideas with her background in journalism.”
Another close friend and long time associate, Gita Shree, said her association with Renu goes back to 2004, when both of them took a journey to Iran.
“She is one of the few women I knew who was liked by everybody, and she also liked everyone. She did not have any foe. She was extremely supportive, fun-loving, always bubbling with enthusiasm. I recommended so many people to her, and she always gave them work and helped them,” she added.
Gita said she cannot believe Renu has gone away. “She is present in all of us.”
Senior journalists paid their condolences to her through social media sites.
Warm hearted @renuagal who used to have a bright smile and kind words whenever she met you is no more. I was relieved to hear you were recovering from your accident but it turned out to be a false dawn. Rest in peace, my friend. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/hTBHk49xkU
— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) April 22, 2021
It’s so shocking to hear this. I have such fond memories of her in Our BBC days.
She was a great mentor and always helpful. A smiling soul she was .
Will miss u @renuagal ji 😔 https://t.co/UJKnQHfrh4
— Sakshi Joshi (@sakshijoshii) April 21, 2021
Tonight we can write the saddest lines. With the passing of #RenuAgal, my colleague at @ThePrintIndia & beloved comrade at @iwpcdelhi, the darkness has deepened. She went far too soon. Rest in peace, my friend
— Jyoti Malhotra (@jomalhotra) April 21, 2021
RIP dear colleague #renuagal https://t.co/V3zWnKb9eA
— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) April 21, 2021
And more heartbreaking news!@renuagal is no more. One of the most wonderful and kindest persons I've ever met. She was my first book editor…and a friend for life. Could not even say goodbye.
Gone too soon.
Will miss your generosity, Renu.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/1UpRL2G2nY
— 𝒀𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒓 𝑼𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒏 (@yasser_aks) April 21, 2021
Indian Women’s Press Corps and Press Club of India expressed their tributes.
Something has died in the IWPC with the untimely passing away of our dearest friend & beloved colleague Renu Agal @ThePrintIndia. She fought long & hard from a head injury in a recent accident. There's a star missing in the night sky tonight. #RenuAgal rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/n1IhnO9qmY
— Indian Women’s Press Corps (@iwpcdelhi) April 21, 2021
The Press Club of India is shocked at the passing away of our member Renu Agal, Editor Print (Hindi) and formerly with the BBC.
We deeply mourn the untimely passing.
Renu had sustained serious injuries in an accident outside her home. pic.twitter.com/NRORnBhkgc
— Press Club of India (@PCITweets) April 21, 2021
how did the accident happen? why no details on that? who else was involved?
Deepest condolences to the family and The Print team. May the Almighty give strength to all her dear ones to bear the loss. I am sure she will always be with you all in a different plane.
OM SHANTI . MAY GANPATI BAPPA give her family and colleagues strength to go through this difficult time.