Dipak Tilak, the great-grandson of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and the trustee editor of Marathi newspaper Kesari, passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, July 16, at his residence in Pune. He was 78. He died of age-related ailments.
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Tilak is survived by a son, a daughter, and grandchildren. His mortal remains have been kept for public homage at the iconic Tilakwada between 8 am and 11 am on Wednesday. The last rites will be carried out at the Vaikunth crematorium around noon.
Besides serving as the trustee editor of Kesari, a newspaper started by Lokmanya Tilak in 1881, he also briefly served as the vice-chancellor at Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth in Pune. Tilak was widely respected in academic and journalistic circles for upholding the legacy of the nationalist thinker and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condoled the death of Deepak Tilak, said, "The news of the passing of Dr. Deepak Tilak, the great-grandson of Lokmanya Tilak and a trustee of Kesari, is deeply saddening. Dr. Deepak Tilak diligently preserved the social, educational, and intellectual legacy of Lokmanya Tilak. He was a people-oriented, calm yet impactful leader and guide. Through Kesari, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, and various institutions, he built a strong backbone for social work. His departure has caused a great loss to the social, educational, and cultural fields."
"Under Dr. Tilak’s guidance, many young researchers and scholars in management and journalism were shaped. He was a pillar of support. With his passing, an influential thinker has been lost. I offer my heartfelt tributes to him. We share in the grief of his family. Om Shanti" wrote CM on X.