Tributes Pour In For Raju Srivastava, Who Heralded Standup Comedy In Country

Delhi: Tributes poured in for celebrated comedian Raju Srivastava, who passed away on Wednesday.

Srivastava, credited with heralding the era of standup comedy in the country, breathed his last at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, where he was undergoing treatment for over a month. He was 58.

Paying tributes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on his twitter handle that Srivastava will live forever in the hearts of his fans. “Raju Srivastava brightened our lives with laughter, humour and positivity. He leaves us too soon but he will continue to live in the hearts of countless people thanks to his rich work over the years. His demise is saddening. Condolences to his family and admirers.Om Shanti,” he tweeted.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said his wholesome acts made families enjoy and laugh together.

Offering him tributes, Comedy King Kapil Sharma, heartbroken by his death, wrote in Hindi, “Raju Bhai this is the first time you have made us cry.”

His colleagues from the industry, Sunil Pal and BJP leader Manoj Tiwari, also offered their heartfelt tributes to the comedian.

The UP Legislative Assembly observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed comedian. It must be noted that the comedian also tried his hands in politics after the Samajwadi Party fielded him from Kanpur LS seat but later retracted citing lack of support from local units of the party.

Srivastava was admitted to AIIMS after suffering cardiac arrest while working out in the gym on August 10 and had regained consciousness after being on ventilator for 15 days. However, he was put on ventilator support again on September 1.