Shashi Tharoor, BS Bassi, others remember Arun Jaitley from college days

Former Finance Minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley, passed away on Saturday, today at the age of 66 after a prolonged illness.

Jaitley, was admitted since August 9 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), after he complained of breathlessness. He is survived by his wife Sangeeta, son Rohan and daughter Sonali Jaitley.

Following the news of his demise, politicians and known celebrities across the spectrum expressed sadness and condolences on his demise.

But the shining star of politics was also remembered today by many colleagues from his past, who showered him respects through tweets.

Known to be a great helping hand, many remembered him through their college days when he represented SRCC and his exceptional work as a leader of  DUSU.

The President of the University of Delhi and notable alumni of prestigious Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) and faculty of law had many followers and some described him as a strong leader, who dedicated his entire life, since his college days to the country.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took to Twitter reminiscing his time together with Jaitley in his college days and said, "We first met when he was at DUSU & I was President of St Stephen's College Union."

Deeply saddened by the tragic passing of my friend&DelhiUniv senior @arunjaitley. We first met when he was at DUSU& I was President of StStephen'sCollegeUnion. Despite political differences we enjoyed a healthy mutual respect&debated his Budget often in LS. A great loss4India pic.twitter.com/RzxO1V6NTV

- Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 24, 2019

Rajat Sharma, Editor-In-Chief and Chairman of India TV that not only he has lost an old friend but a brother. He tweeted an image of Jaitley from university days.

.. 1977 DUSU . DUSU . . @arunjaitley @VijayGoelBJP pic.twitter.com/YxpsV11JKy

- Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) August 24, 2019

BS Bassi, an Ex-Police Chief and IPS officer, expressed his grief on Jaitley demise and wrote, "Even as a student leader he was dignified during college/DUSU electioneering. We in SRCC liked him for his simplicity, brilliant oratory and friendly demeanour."

I share nation's grief on the sad demise of Shri #ArunJaitley, an outstanding statesman. Even as a student leader he was dignified during college/DUSU electioneering. We in SRCC liked him for his simplicity, brilliant oratory and friendly demeanour. May his soul rest in peace.

- BS Bassi (@BhimBassi) August 24, 2019

People from his legal circles, where Jaitley had established himself as a shining spark, before blooming into a full-fledged politician, also shared their condolences while remembering him from the old days.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar, a former Rajya Sabha MP, said," I really have no words to express my grief. I will miss him, it's a personal loss."

"Arun Jaitley's passing is an irreparable loss for the nation and me personally. I am overcome by the grief which I cannot express in words. He was my contemporary in college, at the Bar and a colleague in parliament. Our careers followed each other. "

#Arun Jaitley :May his soul rest in peace .Farewell my friend.May Dolly and the children have strength to bear the irreparable loss

- Dr. Ashwani Kumar (@DrAshwani_Kumar) August 24, 2019

Some of his juniors from his college also personally admired him and described Jaitley as a brilliant orator, powerful intellectual and a man of impeccable integrity.

Mumbai based actor, Gulshan Kumar, took to Twitter and wrote, "saddened at the demise of Visionary and Dynamic leader Arun Jaitley". He added, "I have lost a senior friend, a senior colleague from my college ??SRCCDU,? to whom I could always run for guidance."

Deeply saddened at the demise of Visionary and Dynamic leader #ArunJaitley .To me I have lost a senior friend , senior colleague from my college @SRCCDU , to whom I could always run for guidance. Deepest condolence to Dolly Bhabhi @arunjaitley and Family pic.twitter.com/jQbYcMlB0G

- Gulshan Grover (@GulshanGroverGG) August 24, 2019

Alakh Alok Srivastav, a TedX Speaker and a Gold Medalist Advocate at Supreme Court of India, shared an old image tweeting, "I am proud of the fact that he was my Law College (CLC, DU) Alumni."

Deeply saddened on the demise of #ArunJaitley Ji.

Apart from being a True Patriot and an extraordinary politician, he was also an exceptional Lawyer. I am proud of the fact that he was my Law College (CLC, DU) Alumni.

My most sincere condolences to his family. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/6flqLDOtDI

- Alakh Alok Srivastav (@advocate_alakh) August 24, 2019

Another junior of Arun Jaitley, CA. Dr. GS Grewal, tweeted, "I knew him since my college days in SRCC he being my senior and a cricket enthusiast, which I played."

India lost its another tall leader Shri Arun Jaitley jee.

I knew him since my college days in SRCC he being my senior and a cricket enthusiast, which I played. More admirable about him is that he stood by his ideology till the last breath. May the great soul rest in peace.

- CA. Dr. GS Grewal (@CA_GSGREWAL) August 24, 2019

Actress Nimrat Kumar, also said," Never had the opportunity to meet him but always felt great fortune in sharing the same college as him".

Deepest condolences and heartfelt grief on the passing of Arun Jaitley ji. Never had the opportunity to meet him but always felt great fortune in sharing the same college as him. His contributions and remarkable legacy remain exemplary for generations to come. #RIPArunJaitley

- Nimrat Kaur (@NimratOfficial) August 24, 2019