I knew Anil Dharker for over 30 years. He came in as editor of mid-day in 1988 when I was editor of Sportsweek magazine and sports editor of mid-day. We have had a long association. He was also the executive editor of The Independent, where I was sports editor. He was a big departure from the stereotypical editor, even in the way he dressed: in kurta and pyjamas, and this was back in 1988.

An engineer-turned-journalist

He had an interesting background as he was an engineer by qualification, whose passion for writing and culture brought him into journalism. He edited Debonair for a while, which was more of a men’s magazine, but he brought in more delectable writing. He took over from Vinod Mehta, who went over to the Sunday Observer. And it was quite a surprise for the newsroom to see Anil with his long curly hair and kurta and pyjamas or kurta and churidaar. There are two types of editors - one who rules by farmaan and the other consensual. He would take a consensus opinion and move along.