SRINAGAR: Madan Lal Mantoo, a former senior officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), known for his command over writing and public relations, died of a cardiac arrest in the early hours of Wednesday. He was 74.
Mantoo, who hailed from north Kashmir’s Baramulla, suffered a major heart attack after complaining of uneasiness late Tuesday night. He was rushed to hospital, where he breathed his last around 4 am, his son Vikas Mantoo said.
A seasoned information officer with a keen understanding of public communication, Mantoo served the government in several important capacities, including as Press Officer to then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah after 1996, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Director of Public Relations at Raj Bhawan.
His association with Farooq Abdullah’s office brought him into close engagement with the political and media landscape of Jammu and Kashmir. He was widely regarded as a knowledgeable and capable professional who understood both the craft of writing and the nuances of dealing with the media.
Though he was not a journalist by profession, Mantoo enjoyed considerable goodwill within the media fraternity. A gentleman in his conduct, he was known for his affable disposition, professional competence and willingness to engage with journalists. His ability to communicate, understand news requirements and put thoughts into well-crafted words made him a respected figure among media professionals.
A law graduate with a postgraduate diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication, Mantoo retired from government service at the age of 58. Retirement, however, did not end his engagement with writing and public affairs. He continued contributing occasionally to newspapers and remained connected with the profession that had been central to much of his official career. He was also serving as executive editor of a leading Jammu-based newspaper.
Mantoo also had a political association with the National Conference after retirement. He served as the party’s provincial spokesperson and headed its Jammu Media Cell for several years before gradually distancing himself from the organisation.
The Department of Information and Public Relations convened a condolence meeting on Wednesday, with Director Information Mamta Yadav and senior officers and officials paying tributes to the departed officer.
Recalling his professional contributions, the department described Mantoo as an intelligent officer with high professional acumen who discharged his assignments with dedication. It said he had left an indelible mark in the fields of skilled writing and public relations.
His former colleagues also remembered him as an affable colleague and an inspiring mentor who maintained close relations with friends and associates across Jammu and Kashmir.
