Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 30 (PTI): Senior journalist and Editor-in-chief of Asianet News T N GopaKumar passed away at a private hospital here early today.
He was 58 and leaves behind his wife and two daughters. Gopakumar was undergoing treatment for cancer for some time. Family sources said the end came at around 3.50 AM. The cremation will be held at Shanti Kavadam at Thycaud here this evening with full state honours.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, film personalities and media personnel were among those who offered their respects.
Gopakumar, fondly known as TNG, started his journalistic career with Indian Express and went on to work with Mathrubhumi, News Time, Statesman, Independent and India Today.
He also contributed to BBC Radio before joining Asianet. He also made a mark with his weekly TV programme 'Kannadi', focusing on touching social issues which made him very popular.
'Kannadi' (mirror) recently celebrated 1,000 episodes and ran for 22 years. Despite a hectic career, Gopakumar found time to pen books on various subjects, directed a film 'Jeevan Mashai' in 2001 and a serial for Doordarshan 'Verukkal' (Roots).
He won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for 'Suchindrum Rakhakal' besides many other awards during his three decades of journalistic career.