Pune: Condolence Meeting Held for Journalist Nana Gaikwad
Pune, 8th April 2026: A condolence meeting was held on Sunday at Agrasen Bhavan in Dapodi to pay tribute to Ashok “Nana” Gaikwad, Pune district correspondent of the daily newspaper Samrat, who passed away on April 1.
The meeting was presided over by veteran leader Vasantdada Salve and attended by several prominent personalities from social, academic and media circles. Among those present were Prof. Dr. Vilas Adhav, Director and Head of the Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension at Savitribai Phule Pune University; national orator D.V. Bagul; poet-singer Bhagwan Dhende; Devendra Tayade; Atul Gaikwad from Pune Cantonment; Vivek Bansode of Republican Sena; and Yuvraj Bande.
Other attendees included Bapusaheb Gaikwad of Bauddha Mahasabha, Jeevan Ghongde, President of the Republican Swabhimani Party, Prof. Dilip Kamble of Siddharth Seva Sangh, compere Deepak Maske, Gyanraja, Ashok Gaikwad Guruji, Dr. Surendra Shinde, Dr. Barathe, Dr. Thorat, Balasaheb Kadale, Vinod Sonawane, Amit More, Vikas Chavan, former President of Buddha Shashan Sabha, Uttam Gaikwad, Nandkumar Bhalerao, journalists Ramdas Lokhande and Balasaheb Bengale, and representatives from Lord Buddha News Channel and Samyak Samast News Channel, including Uttam Yadav.
Paying tribute, Prof. Dr. Vilas Adhav said he had known Nana Gaikwad since the early days of Samrat and described him as a committed activist with a vibrant personality. He noted that in an increasingly market-driven society, where values and trust are often treated as commodities, Gaikwad stood apart by upholding ethics, social responsibility and integrity. Adhav said Gaikwad lived a principled life, built credibility among the masses and served society with dedication. He also appealed to those present to extend support to Gaikwad’s family.
Arun Dalvi of Bodhisattva News Channel, along with Vijay Bhujbal and Sheetal Bhujbal of Jagruti News Channel, remembered Gaikwad as a fearless journalist who used his writing to highlight injustice and firmly express his views.
In his presidential address, Vasantdada Salve described Gaikwad as an excellent writer, poet and tireless social activist. He said Gaikwad worked relentlessly for the cause of justice, particularly in rural and remote areas where incidents of injustice often go unnoticed. Salve added that Gaikwad carried out his work without expecting personal gain and remained committed to the service of society.
During the programme, Datta Suryavanshi, the current Pune district representative of Samrat, paid tribute to Gaikwad by garlanding his portrait on behalf of the newspaper’s team. The programme was anchored by Gorakh Brahmane.
A large number of Gaikwad’s family members, friends, women’s groups and well-wishers attended the meeting. On the occasion, Vivek Bansode and Yuvraj Bansode, who were close associates of Gaikwad, contributed ₹10,000 in financial assistance, considering that Gaikwad’s daughter’s wedding is scheduled for April 29.
