New Delhi: Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar died at early hours today. He was 95.
Nayyar, who was also an acclaimed author and human right activist was admitted to the Escorts Hospital in Delhi. He died at around 12.30 am, his elder son Sudhir Nayar said.
He was suffering from pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital five days back, Sudhir Nayar said.
His last rites were performed today at Lodhi crematorium in Delhi. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death, saying his ‘strong stand’ against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered.
“Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades,” Modi tweeted.
“His strong stand against the emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences,” he added.
Nayar started his career with a Urdu newspaper. He served as High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom in 1990 and was also a nominated of the Rajya Sabha. He was one of the first journalists who was put in jail when the Emergency was declared.
He has authored over a dozen books which include ‘Beyond the Lines, Distant Neighbours: A Tale of the Subcontinent,’ ‘India after Nehru,’ ‘In Jail,’ ‘Wall at Wagah,’ ‘India-Pakistan Relationship,’ ‘The Judgement,’ ‘Without Fear: The Life and Trial of Bhagat Singh,’ among others.
He was born at Sialkot in Punjab on 14 August 1923. While receiving the Shaheed Niyogi Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in people-oriented journalism in 2016, he had urged the younger generation which is entering journalism to work with honesty and dedication.