Monday, August 1 2005 16:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagpur: Veteran Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Pracharak and journalist,Narayan Rao Vishwanath Tarte, who was instrumental in bringing former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee into Sangh Shakha in 1937, passed away today at a private nursing home, due to old age, RSS sources said.

He was 92. Born in Akola in March 1913, Tarte was Pracharak in Pilibhit between 1943 and 1947. He worked with now defunct Hindustan Samachar from 1949 onwards and was posted at Nagpur and Delhi.

He was honored with Bapurao Lele Memorial Journalism Award, which was handed over to him by Vajpayee himself on August 1, 2003.

Expressing grief over the demise, Vajpayee described him as an ideal 'Swayamsevak', who had dedicated his life for the Sangh and the people.

"His death is a personal loss to me', Vajpayee said in a message, received in Nagpur today (Aug 1, 2005).

"Tarte had brought me in Sangh in 1937 when he came to Gwalior for conducting the Sangh shakha. We often affectionately called him Mamu", Vajpyee said adding, Tarte would be remembered for his good organizing capacity and dedication.

Tarte's mortal remains were consigned to flames at a city crematorium in the presence of RSS General Secretary Mohan Bhagwat, the sources said.