Cho offered invaluable wisdom, says Modi

Chennai: Paying rich tributes to political satirist and editor Cho Ramaswamy for having mastered the art of satire and humour, Prime Minister Modi said both satire and humour are needed to build bridges between communities and societies.

On a day when entire Tamil Nadu celebrated Pongal, the PM who addressed the 47th anniversary of Thuglak through video conferencing chose the occasion to highlight the finer qualities of the veteran journalist and said the Nation was Cho’s central message.

“That Cho had mastered the art of satire, humour and irony need not be overstated. I think we need more satire and humour, which brings happiness in our lives. Humour is the best healer. The power of a smile or laughter is more than the power of abuse or any other weapon. Humour builds bridges instead of breaking them. And this is exactly what we require today - building bridges.

Bridges between people, between communities and between societies,” Mr Modi said and added that humour brought out human creativity. “We are living in an age where one speech or one event can create multiple memes, forwards,” he reminded.

Describing Cho as the most multi-faceted personality he had come across, the Prime Minister said in the passing away of Cho, “we all have lost a friend who offered his invaluable wisdom to whoever came his way. I knew him personally for over four decades. It is a personal loss for me.”

Following prolonged illness and treatment at the Apollo Hospitals here Cho Ramaswamy passed away on Dec. 7. Speaking on the occasion, Superstar Rajinikanth who showered glowing tributes,“I had come to offer my condolences and pay tribute. Cho Ramaswamy never compromised his writings for anybody’s sake. My heartfelt condolences to the family members. May his soul rest in peace.”