Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday deeply condoled the passing away of veteran journalist Prabhash Joshi, who died of a heart attack here last night.

In his condolence message to Joshi’s wife Usha Joshi, Dr. Singh said: “I am deeply grieved to learn of the sudden and sad demise of your husband Prabhash Joshi, a veteran journalist of our country.”

“Joshi was a man of extraordinary intellectual courage and professional integrity. He acquired an iconic status as the founder-editor of the Hindi daily, Jansatta. A whole generation of journalists drew inspiration from him, especially in questioning the current orthodoxy,” he added.

“On this sad occasion, I convey my heart felt condolences to you and other near and dear ones of your husband. I pray for peace of the departed soul,” the Prime Minister said.

Joshi, who began his career with Nayi Duniya, was the founder editor of leading Hindi daily “Jansatta” in 1983.

He also worked with the Indian Express as the resident editor at Ahmedabad, Chandigarh and Delhi.

He was also famous for his writings on cricket. He was a popular television commentator and mainly invited for his views and comments on national politics during the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha elections.