My association with J Dey, the father of underworld reporting, goes back to 1995 when he joined MiD DAY as an environment reporter and I as a lensman.

Soon his passion for wild life and environmental issues made him an authority on green matters with his reports being quoted in government studies.

But I got to know about the avid photographer in him when he came to me with a new Pentax K1000 camera.


Suresh KK Photo editor

It was then the 'Commander', as I fondly called him, confided in 'Chief', he used to call me by this name, that nature photography was his first love and not reporting.

After making a mark in environmental reporting, Dey moved to crime reporting in 1997, the bloodiest time in Mumbai's history when underworld ruled the roost.

A trip with our humble crime and investigations editor, who always maintained a low profile, would reveal more about the lighter side of the man.

When on an assignment, the daredevil scribe would make it a point to meet his sources at local restaurants because he believed that news lied in dirty places and a common man could be an unbiased source who could reveal a treasure-trove of stories.

I was smitten by the story hunting skills of the Commander. He would go hunting for a particular story and dig out four more.

Take the case of Sanjay Gandhi National Park from where he unearthed innumerable environmental stories. Dey knew the sanctuary like the back of his hand and knew almost all flora and fauna there.

I always enjoyed a shooting session with the Commander in the wild, as I knew it would turn out to be a mutual learning experience. I got to learn a lot from him.

Commander! The dark forces may have silenced your voice, but the army of dedicated scribes, mentored, nurtured and raised by you, will certainly take the battle to a finish.

Last salute! Chief