Mysuru: Senior journalist and Editor of “Andolana” Kannada daily, passed away in the wee hours of November 23 after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 71.
A native of Huilagol near Gadag, Koti hailed from the family of landlords, who later settled down in Mysuru. He left his native by telling lies at home after his family members refused to let him go and landed in Mysuru with worn out plainclothes and a handbag.
Popularly known as Koti in the media circles and among his readers, was a staunch progressive espousing socialist as reflected in the news columns of the daily “Andolana” which gained popularity in the Mysuru and surrounding areas .
Rajashekar Koti began his journalistic career with “Prapancha” and “Vishwavani” publications by another veteran Patil Puttappa for some years before launching “Andolana” in Mysuru in 1972.
Koti drew inspiration from several socialists and litterateurs including Nelemane Devegowda, Devanuru Mahadeva, Poornachandra Tejaswi, J H Patel, Shantaveri Gopalkrishna, Prof. M D Nanjunadaswamy , M D Sundaresh, Prof. Kadidala Manjanna, P Lankesh and several others with socialistic thinking. With help from the publisher of news daily Nelemane Devegowda, Koti purchased his first printing machine costing Rs 1850 from magician Mysuru Nagesh and never looked back afterwards.
The daily covered the events associated with JP Movement threadbare, when socialist leader Jai Prakash Narayan was at the helm but stopped operations during emergency after raising voice against it.
Koti treated the daily like his first child and shot into fame giving vivid coverage of police and Anti-Naxal Force operations in nabbing forest brigand Veerappan.
Koti fearlessly published the report of scribe Amshi Prasanna Kumar in connection with the death of Satyadev in a swimming pool during the reign of DCP Somashekar. The daily report ultimately led to the conviction of DCP Somashekar after circumstantial evidence proved him guilty of murder and the daily Andolana deservedly received all the accolades from public for providing critical facts in the complex criminal case.
He was also the member of the Karnataka Madhyama Academy and a recipient of many awards. He was a strong patron of sports and was sponsoring Dhyan Chand Cup to encourage hockey in association with the University of Mysore, since the last 13 years. In addition, Koti raised funds in times of disaster and natural calamities and contributed his might after Kargil war, and for victims affected by Tsunami and flash floods in North Karnataka.
He inspired several youth and his daily has large following in Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Hassan and Bengaluru rural districts. Koti associated himself with many social welfare organisations to help the disabled and all those in need.
According to family sources, Rajashekar Koti who was in Bengaluru in connection with a programme, complained of discomfort at around 1 AM and was rushed to a private hospital. But he was discharged after examination in the absence of any lingering symptoms. On returning to his room he suffered a massive heart attack and passed away at around 3 AM.
He is survived by his wife and three children. The body of Koti was shifted from Bengaluru to his residence on Ramanuja Road in Mysuru where there was a steady stream of visitors from various walks of life, queuing up to pay their last respects.
Senior political leaders including Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have condoled Koti’s death.
