13 June,2011 07:12 AM IST | | Mid DAY Team
Twenty-one years. That's exactly how long I have known Dey Anna. It was in the year 1990, while Dey was still working foru00a0 Hindustan Lever, that I met him for the first time. A photojournalist, Gopal Shetty, who was familiar with me, had introduced Dey to me as a freelance writer. And since then I cannot remember a single fortnight go by without a conversation over a cup of cutting chai in my office.
Dr I S Gilada
A shy and reserved person, Dey Anna chose his friends carefully. But when he did, he gave his heart and soul to it.However, what attracted me the most was the sincerity of the man. Honest, fearless and committed. These are the three words that come to my mind foremost when I am asked to describe Dey. His commitment towards any cause that he took up inspired me and his perseverance of the subject made me a fan of his reporting style.
Never say die
Merely making headlines was never enough for Dey Anna. He never gave up the story until it reached its logical conclusion and in this way he touched many lives. In 1993, Dey took my help in gathering data on minors trapped in prostitution in the Kamathipura red light area. What followed was the biggest police raid till then and 437 girls were rescued, of them 150 minors from Nepal. The girls were sent to rehabilitation homes and schools while the high court took suo motu cognizance of the story. I was summoned along with Dey to court and for the next one-and-half years, he came for every hearing with me until the perpetrators were brought to book.
In 1998, Dey learnt of a shameful practice in Jalgaon district's Maheji village through a HIV infected woman who came to my clinic for treatment. She told us how men in her village didn't work and forced daughters into prostitution to earn money. He visited the village, got evidence and reported on the shameful act. Later his strong follow-ups and pressure built on local politicians; police, among others, saw that the practice was stopped.
And that was the kind of journalism he practised and we respected him immensely for it. Lately he was writing a short film based on a story published in MiD DAY and met me several times for details. He also wanted to publish a volume on his writings on sex workers, the devdasi system, bar girls and HIV/AIDS. I am at a loss for words apt enough to describe this giant of a man, dearly loved by many and revered by many more. There can be no fitting tribute; just as there is no repair to the loss created by his death. (As told to Alifiya Khan)
--u00a0Dr Ishwar Gilada is the founder of People's Health Organisation, one of India's oldest NGOs working in Kamathipura in the field of HIV/AIDS and for sex workers.
Copsspeak
He would call at odd hours to say hello
My association with J Dey goes back more than 20 years and I can only say that J Dey should have been in politics rather than journalism. He had very good sources and also retained them forever. I remember Dey would call up at odd hours just to say hello and would chat about everything but news. I was a part of the Anti-Terrorism Squad first formed in the 1990's and first met Dey then. He had good contacts and (maintained) relationships, right from the constabulary to senior IPS officers. Each and every police constable and officer felt that Dey was most close to him, and I think that is the greatest thing to be as a human being.
Dey would call up at odd hours just to say hello. He would ask whether we had had dinner, or talk about how the traffic was terrible. The calls were not just for getting news. This is how he used to maintain his sources, a quality not many reporters have. Whenever any junior officers felt victimised, they conveyed their feelings to seniors through Dey. He would suggest the best way out to the seniors, without advocating anything.
--u00a0BHANUPRATAP BARGE, Senior Police Inspector, Social Security Cell, Crime Branch, Pune
Icon of investigative journalism
J DEY had met me personally two times in Pune when the city edition was to be launched. While talking to him, his knowledge about terrorism, underworld crimes and other issues was evident. He was an icon of investigative journalism.
--u00a0PETER LOBO, Police Inspector, Anti-Terrorism Squad, Pune
Police have lost a trusted friend
MY introduction to J Dey dates back eight years, when I was associated with the Mumbai Crime Branch. Dey was not only a very good reporter but also a great human being. It is a moment of great shock and I must say that we, the police department, have lost a trusted friend
u00a0-- ATUL SABNIS, Assistant Police Inspector, Anti-Terrorism Squad, Pune
Many officers got guidance from him
I knew Dey since 2000, after my posting in the Mumbai Crime Branch. I used to like his writing. It was to the point. He was an informed person. Many police officers used to get guidance
from him.
--u00a0RAJENDRA JOSHI, Police Inspector
I've lost a very good friend
This is a very sad incident. I still remember him as he used to attend the Qasab and Mumbai bomb blast trial. He was always calm and composed and whenever he had a doubt on a particular point, he would walk up to me and seek clarification. And on the very next day a story with an altogether different angle used to appear in MiD DAY. His style of writing was informative and educative. Why he was killed will come out after detailed investigations. But I strongly condemn the attack on a journalist. Journalists should take precaution while writing as they may create enemies who may try to take revenge on them. I am sad at the loss of my good friend. As I turn on the TV and go through the newspapers, the smile on his face stirs something within me.
--u00a0UJJWAL NIKAM Special Public Prosecutor
(As told to Salil Urunkar and Kaumudi Gurjar)
