The Hindu : New Delhi News : He was the `Man Friday' everyone looked for

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 17, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

He was the `Man Friday' everyone looked for

Staff Reporter

NSUI colleagues remember Govinda's secretary, Rishabh Jha, who died in an accident on Monday

NEW DELHI: He was the blue-eyed boy who always stayed in the background. A friend to some and confidant to many others, he may have never been a part of the limelight that student politics provided, but as an exuberant member of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), Rishabh Jha -- who died in the car accident that left Bollywood actor and Member of Parliament Govinda's family seriously injured -- was the `Man Friday' everyone looked for while he was the spokesperson for the student outfit.

A day after his death, all his NSUI friends were yet to come to terms with the loss. For an NSUI member who went on to do a brief stint with the media before joining Govinda as his secretary, most in the student outfit remember him for his smiling face.

"He was like a family member to me and we continued to be in touch even after he joined Govinda for work. The best thing about him was that he was friends with everyone and no matter where he went, he always managed to win the trust of people and befriended people. He was a jovial guy who had a good relationship with everyone," remembered NSUI member and DUSU vice-president Ashok Basoya.

Being helpful was yet another quality of his that won him many friends.

"I took the charge of NSUI spokesperson from him in 2003 and till the time I established myself in my job he helped me a lot. I never saw him in a tense mood; he was always laughing or making people laugh. He was an integral part of our circle and we have lost a family member with his death," said Kuntal Krishna.

But for all the sorrow that his old friends expressed, none had a clue on whether NSUI planned to do anything for him.

"We have not yet discussed or decided what we will be doing for the family. It is too early and once the party decides on something we will know. But I am not aware if we are doing from the NSUI side," said an NSUI member.

Rishab was cremated at Nigambodh Ghat here on Tuesday in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends.

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