Bereavement

At Kokilaben Hospital... Santosh Tyagi (r)

Santosh Tyagi’s only son, Manoj is no more. He breathed his last at Kokilanben Hospital this morning. He was 45. He is survived by his mother, wife and a daughter.
News of his demise reached us in the Garden around 7:40 a.m., instantly prompting a suspension of the day's exercises (and a subsequent birthday celebration at Tiwari’s). A small group comprising Yusuf Rassiwala, Bijoy Gupta, Nahid Khan, Banoo Apa, Zarina Khan and the Bose couple

Manoj Tyagi

rushed to the hospital and thereafter, to Santosh’s home.
Manoj had been suffering from a debilitating liver condition for long and of late, was hospitalised twice. Since January last, after his discharge from Nanavati Hospital, he had shown signs of improvement. We had assumed that the worst was over and Manoj would be on the path to recovery. Santosh also confirmed that a liver transplant, as speculated, may not be needed.
But things took a sudden turn for the worse early this week when Manoj stopped eating and worse, he started to bleed -- even from the mouth and nose. According to his mother, he had to be physically

Mother's tears... Santosh is inconsolable

lifted from home (in a near unconscious state) and taken to hospital by ambulance on Tuesday.
Since Wednesday he was kept on life support as he stopped responding to treatment.
Yesterday, Santosh phoned to say that Manoj’s condition had deteriorated following a collapse of his vital organs and that doctors had advised her to summon those near and dear to him. “Nothing more can be done to save his life,” she quoted the doctors as saying when the Boses and Kiran Prakash called on her at the hospital. “They are simply delaying the inevitable.”
Manoj has been a highly acclaimed filmmaker and scriptwriter in Hindi cinema for the past 15 years or so. His screenplays for Apharan (2004) and Page 3 (2005) have brought him rich accolades and two national awards. Mumbai Salsa, the film he wrote and directed in 2007, garnered critical acclaim but not much of a box-office success.
His mortal remains were consigned to the flames at Oshiwara Electric Crematorium at 3:45pm today. A maternal uncle performed the final rites. May Manoj rest in peace.

Lt Col Angad Singh (rtd):
Manoj Tyagi's sudden departure from this world has come as a shock to us. His loss is too big a blow for Mrs Santosh and the family. This loss is too great and has to be borne with courage and strength. I join every member of the Club on praying for courage to the family in bearing this untimely loss. I also pray that the Almighty may grant the departed soul a place at his feet.

Renu Babani:
Heartfelt condolences to our dearest Santosh-ji and the entire family. It's hard to even understand what a mother must feel. He was young and his wife and daughter must also be devastated. May his soul rest in peace. May God give the family strength and courage to endure this terrible loss.