Dr G S Rajhans passes away

Dr G S Rajhans passes away

Dr Gouri Shankar Rajhans passes away

Dr Gouri Shankar Rajhans passed away in the wee hours of Monday December 20, 2021. He developed complications following his admission in two different hospitals where medical intervention was faulty and not up to the mark. 

A man of versatile talent G S Rajhans innings has been illuminated by stints in media, politics and diplomacy. He was a writer and novelist with enough experience and could furnish stories with ease. Born in Sultanganj in Bhagalpur District of Bihar State in India he was a distinguished Fulbright Scholar having studied in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the United States in the '60s. Having returned to India he worked in Kumardhubi and Kolkata. In Kolkata he worked in Bird And Company where his contemporaries/seniors included Mr Amitabh Bachchan who later went on to join  Hindi Film Industry. 

From Kolkata G S Rajhans shifted his base to Delhi in 1969 and worked in Sahu Jain Company. In 1971 G S Rajhans took up the assignment of Circulation Manager in Delhi's leading newspaper The Hindustan Times where he shined in different capacities and duly rewarded with promotion as Deputy General Manager in 1974. From 1969 to 1975 he shared bonhomie with Lalit Narayan Mishra who was Foreign Trade Minister and later went on to become Railway Minister of India. Lalit Narayan Mishra was assassinated in January 1975 and here he lost a dear friend and a close relative. He observed on innumerable occasions that if there was one leader in India and a close associate for whom he had high respect it was none other than Lalit Narayan Mishra. Between 1975 and 1985 his fief in Hindi Novels was reflected in Tum Phir Aana and Salma, the former based on his stint in the US and the latter based on his sojourn in Kashmir. He had other novels to his name as well including Booth Bahadur Ki Jai largely based on booth capturing episodes in Indian elections.

In 1984 G S Rajhans became Member of Parliament registering victory from Jhanjharpur constituency in Bihar State with record votes. A member of Lok Sabha (India's Lower House), he spoke extempore on varied issues whenever Parliament was in session. His camaraderie with Rajiv Gandhi the then Prime Minister of India was recognised in political circles. Here again in the political corridors of power he came in touch with Mr Amitabh Bachchan who was Member of Parliament from Allahabad and was able to place him sharing nitty gritties of their association in Kolkata. As Member of Parliament G S Rajhans took umpteen trips each day to All India Institute of Medical Sciences to get people of his constituency treated and here the then Medical Superintendent A N Safaya came handy.

G S Rajhans was a member of Parliament's Consultative Committee on External Affairs. His debating skills in Parliament won laurels from different quarters and his accomplishment to speak on any subject won him more admirers notably Madhu Dandavate and Narasimha Rao. In 1990 he dwelt on why Congress party lost in Bihar by writing a story for The Hindustan Times in Edit Page. In 1991 Narasimha Rao became India's Prime Minister leading a Congress Govt at the Centre. In 1992 G S Rajhans was sounded by Narasimha Rao that he was being considered for Diplomatic Assignment given his rich experience in Foreign Affairs. In November 1992 he was appointed as India's Ambassador to Laos as part of Narasimha Rao Govt's Look East Policy. He served as Ambassador to Laos from 1992 to 1994 and in 1994 he was appointed as India's Ambassador to Cambodia the stint lasting from July '94 to June '96. In July '96 he returned to India and dedicated himself to writing stories/articles for different publications prominent among those for Hindi Newspaper Dainik Hindustan sister publication of Hindustan Times. In Political Fraternity he had friends cutting across party lines and his off and on meeting with the likes of Mamta Banerjee, Digvijay Singh, Hansraj Bharadwaj, Ghulam Nabi Azad and K K Birla in Central Hall of Parliament was watched with avid interest as they deliberated on issues from politics to those who were showered with persuasive skills. 

From 2005-2010 onwards he started writing for different publications including Dainik Jagran, Ranchi Express, Purvanchal Prehri, Aaj Varanasi, Jalte Deep Jodhpur, Dainik Navjyoti Jaipur, Lokmat Samachar, Navbharat Bhopal, Prabhat Khabar, Rajasthan Patrika, Haribhumi and others. His close association with Sitaram Kesri from '70s to '90s was also watched with interest and anticipation. 

In his passing away India has lost a true patriot and a learned scholar. G S Rajhans would be remembered for selfless service for his constituency people and others. G S Rajhans has been pillar of strength for the voiceless and those on the margins of society and for the marginalised sections he wrote stories in different publications.