Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Legendary commentator Jasdev Singh, who gave new dimension and flair to Hindi commentary passed away Tuesday. Jasdev Singh, 87, was suffering from dementia and old age related ailment for quite some time, breathed his last at his residence in Delhi in the morning. He is survived by his Wife, Son and daughter .
Sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore condoled the death of Jasdev Singh “It is with deep sadness that I note the demise of Sh Jasdev Singh, one of our finest commentators. A veteran of Akashvani, AIR & Doordarshan, he covered 9 Olympics, 6 Asian Games & countless Independence Day & Republic Day broadcasts,” the minister tweeted.
Jasdev Singh joined All Indian Radio Jaipur in 1955, and moved to Delhi in 1963 and thereafter he moved to Doordarshan, where he worked for over 35 years.
He had created a niche with his style of commentary and a huge fan following. In 1975 India won the Hockey World Cup in Malaysia and after their return the team led by Ajit Pal Singh was felicitated by the then prime minister Indira Gandhi at her residence . Jasdev Singh who did live commentary of the World Cup for All India Radio, was also invited for that function. On seeing Jasdev Singh, Mrs Gandhi went to him and said “Aap ne tou hamare dilon ke dadkaney bada di thi” (You had amplified our heartbeat) with your fast paced commentary.
It is with deep sadness that I note the demise of Sh Jasdev Singh, one of our finest commentators.
A veteran of @AkashvaniAIR & @DDNational, he covered 9 Olympics, 6 Asian Games & countless Independence Day & Republic Day broadcasts.
His demise is truly the end of an era.
— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) September 25, 2018
Fellow commentator Anupam Ghulati paying his tribute to Jasdev Singh said ”He was an Institution who became a role mode; for most of the young Hindi commentators”
Veteran sports journalist Jangandha Rao described Jasdev Singh “a commentator with “mellifluent voice,” which moved millions of Indians.
Jasdev Singh was a regular at the Olympic Games and covered nine editions of the quadrennial extravaganza from Helsinki (1968) to Melbourne (2000) apart from covering Asian Games, World Cups and Davis Cup.
In 1988 during Seoul Olympics he was conferred with “Olympic Order” by the then International Olympic Council chief Juan Antonio Samaranch for his role in spreading the Olympic movement.
He was bestowed with Padam Shri in 1985 and was bestowed with Padma Bhushan in 2008.
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