The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has condoled the death of Shri C.R. Irani, Editor-in-Chief of the Statesman. In a condolence message sent to Smt. Threety Irani, the Prime Minister said:

"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of my good friend, C.R. Irani, the Editor-in-Chief of the Statesman. Irani was among the tallest of our journalists. He was a distinguished editor, a learned commentator on political, judicial and social issues, an institution builder, a leader in his profession and, above all, a truly secular nationalist.

He was passionately committed to the welfare of our people and the progress of our Nation. He upheld the finest values in journalism. In his popular column "Caveat" he wrote without fear or favour and earned for himself and his newspaper an enviable place in the Indian media world. As chairman of the Press Trust of India he helped invigorate this organization at a time when it was forced to face the challenge of competition at home and abroad. His expertise in constitutional matters helped the country when he was made member of the Constitution Review Commission.

I will truly miss Irani and his columns. Indian journalism will miss the quite yet firm leadership of a great editor. I convey my sincere condolences to his family, his friends and his colleagues at the Statesman."