- From newsroom trainee to Principal Correspondent, he chronicled Gujarat’s changing landscape with courage and credibility
- A trusted communications strategist who bridged the worlds of journalism and industry with grace and professionalism
- Colleagues remember a mentor whose humility matched his experience and whose words always carried weight
- Media fraternity bids an emotional farewell to a respected communicator who inspired generations across Gujarat
NE NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, JUNE 11
The Gujarat media and corporate communication fraternities have lost one of their most respected and understated professionals with the passing away of Ike Samuel, 66, a veteran journalist-turned-corporate communications leader whose career spanned decades of public engagement, ethical storytelling and institution building.
Samuel passed away on the night of June 9, 2026, after a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife and son. His funeral service and burial were held on June 10 at the CNI Church, Ellisbridge, Ahmedabad, where family members, colleagues, journalists and friends gathered to pay their final respects.
His professional journey reflected perseverance, dedication and quiet excellence. Beginning his career as a trainee with The Indian Express in Gujarat, Samuel steadily rose through the ranks to become Principal Correspondent, earning widespread respect for his balanced reporting, meticulous work ethic and deep understanding of Gujarat’s political, industrial and social landscape.
Those who worked alongside him recall a journalist who believed that facts deserved fairness and that credibility was a reporter’s greatest asset. His calm demeanour and unwavering commitment to accuracy made him a trusted name in the newsroom and a mentor to many young journalists.
In the second phase of his distinguished career, Samuel successfully transitioned into corporate communications, serving as General Manager – Corporate Communication, Gujarat, at Reliance Industries Limited, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening stakeholder engagement and media relations during a period of rapid industrial growth and transformation. He later continued in a similar leadership role with the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group in Gujarat, bringing the same professionalism and strategic insight that had defined his journalistic career.
His ability to understand both the newsroom and the boardroom made him a rare bridge between media and industry—someone who valued transparency, trusted relationships and meaningful dialogue.
Friends and members of the media fraternity remembered him as a gentleman who carried immense knowledge without pretence, welcomed newcomers with warmth and believed that professional success should always be accompanied by humility.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Samuel will be remembered as a compassionate human being whose quiet strength, sincerity and unwavering values earned him admiration across generations of journalists and communication professionals.
As Gujarat’s media community mourns his passing, it also celebrates a life dedicated to truth, communication and service—a life that demonstrated how integrity and kindness can leave a lasting imprint far beyond headlines and press releases.
His legacy will endure not only through the stories he reported and the institutions he served, but also through the countless lives he touched with wisdom, dignity and generosity.
