NewKerala.com

Veteran Journalist HK Dua, Padma Bhushan Awardee, Passes Away at 88

Senior journalist and Padma Bhushan awardee HK Dua passed away in New Delhi at the age of 88 after a period of illness. He had a distinguished career as Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune and held senior editorial roles at The Indian Express, The Times of India, and Hindustan Times. Dua also served as a media adviser to former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and HD Deve Gowda and was later nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Congress MP Manish Tewari paid tribute, highlighting Dua's editorial integrity and refusal to compromise with political or media proprietors.

Key Points: HK Dua, Padma Bhushan Journalist & Former Editor, Dies at 88

  • Padma Bhushan awardee in 2008
  • Former Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune
  • Media adviser to PMs Vajpayee & Deve Gowda
  • Nominated to Rajya Sabha in 2009
  • Career spanned major national dailies
2 min read

Senior Journalist and Padma Bhushan awardee HK Dua passes away at 88

Senior journalist and Padma Bhushan awardee HK Dua, former editor of The Tribune and media adviser to PMs, passes away in Delhi at age 88.

"He was an editor when being an editor still mattered. - Manish Tewari"

New Delhi, March 4

Senior journalist and Padma Bhushan awardee HK Dua passed away in New Delhi on Wednesday at the age of 88, his family said, according to The Tribune.

He had been admitted to a private hospital three weeks ago and had been unwell. His cremation will be held at 12 noon on March 5 at the Lodhi Road Crematorium.

Dua was the former Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune and served as media adviser to former Prime Ministers HD Deve Gowda and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also represented India as Ambassador to Denmark.

He led The Tribune from 2003 to 2009 and was credited with enhancing the newspaper's national standing and editorial credibility. Over a distinguished career spanning several decades, Dua held senior editorial positions at The Indian Express, The Times of India and Hindustan Times.

In 2009, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, where he participated in debates on media freedom and public policy. He was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2008 in recognition of his contributions to journalism.

Congress MP Manish Tewari expressed grief over Dua's demise, recalling him as "an editor when being an editor still mattered."

In a post on X, Tewari said Dua stood by his convictions, refused to compromise editorial independence, and never sought favour from political leaders or media proprietors. He described him as a warm and unpretentious individual who spoke his mind with clarity and integrity.

"Sad to learn about the passing away of Sh HK Dua. He was an editor when being an editor still mattered. Editor in Chief of Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express & The Tribune he chose to live by his convictions rather than become a lackey of the owners and kowtow to Politician's for advertisement's. Media Adviser to Prime Minister Late Sh. Atal Behari Vajpayee, Indian Ambassador to Denmark & nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Prime Minister Late Dr. Manmohan Singh. A very warm human being and totally unpretentious he knew how to call a spade a spade," Tewari wrote on 'X'.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Manish Tewari's tribute hits the nail on the head - "an editor when being an editor still mattered." That line says so much about the state of media today. Dua sir's refusal to kowtow to owners or politicians is a lesson for every young journalist.
R
Rohit P
Om Shanti. He served under PMs from different parties with equal dedication. That itself speaks volumes about his character. We need more such unbiased voices in our public discourse today.
P
Priyanka N
While I respect his long career, I sometimes felt his editorials in The Tribune could be too Delhi-centric. A little more focus on issues from the states would have been good. Nevertheless, a great loss to the fourth estate. May his soul rest in peace.
M
Michael C
His journey from journalism to diplomacy is remarkable. Not many can claim to have served the nation in such diverse and high-impact roles. The Padma Bhushan was truly deserved.
K
Kavya N
My father used to read his editorials religiously. He always said Dua sahab wrote with a rare clarity and fearlessness. End of an era for sure. Heartfelt prayers for his atma.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50