“My deepest condolences on the passing away of veteran journalist, political commentator and human rights activist, Sh. Will be best remembered for his struggle against the Emergency,” Jaitley said.Ĭongress communications incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala also expressed his condolences and described Nayar as a role model for his profession. He is credited with breaking some of the most exclusive news stories. His contribution to the cause of free speech is unparalleled. “Saddened by the death of the veteran Journalist Sh. Condolences to his family and associates,” he said in a tweet.įinance Minister Arun Jaitley said Nayar will be best remembered for his struggle against the Emergency. “Sad to hear of the passing of Kuldip Nayar, veteran editor and writer, diplomat and parliamentarian, and a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency. Kovind described him as a determined champion of democracy. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. “Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Modi termed him an intellectual giant and recalled his role as a staunch opponent of the Emergency. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind were among the leaders who condoled Nayar’s death. He said Nayar also made efforts for peace between India and Pakistan and organised candle-light demonstrations. Essentially, he remained a thorough journalist,” Dua told IANS.

He knew much more of what was happening behind the news than many other journalists and got lots of inside information. He was a great chaser of news and broke many stories in his life.

At the age of 94, he kept his interest alive in the news world. Dua, who knew Nayar for 54 years, described him as a “good friend”, a “great journalist” and said his death was a loss to the profession. He was also the author of 15 books including “Beyond the Lines”, “India after Nehru” and “Emergency Retold”. He also worked with the Indian Express, The Times, The Spectator and the Evening Star. He was the editor and General Manager of United News of India (UNI) and also the editor of The Statesman. He worked in the Press Information Bureau as a Press Officer to then Home Ministers Govind Ballabh Pant and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Nayar started his journalistic career with the Urdu daily “Anjam” in 1948. He was appointed High Commissioner to the UK in 1990 and nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1997. on Thursday afternoon.īorn on August 14, 1923, in Sialkot (Pakistan), Nayar was among the country’s first syndicated columnists and wrote several books. Nayar breathed his last at the Escorts Hospital at 12.30 a.m. New Delhi–Senior journalist, author and human rights activist Kuldip Nayar died at a hospital here, his family said on Thursday.

Emergency retold by kuldip nayar