Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayyar dies at 95; President, PM express grief

Nayyar was a noted journalist, author, human right activist, diplomat and parliamentarian.

Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayyar no more/ Image: Wikipedia

New Delhi: Veteran journalist and author Kuldeep Nayyar passed away at the age of 95 in New Delhi last night. Nayyar’s elder son Sudhir Nayyar said he died at around 12:30 AM on Thursday in a private hospital, PTI reported. He is survived by his wife and two sons. His last rites will be performed at Lodhi crematorium at around 1 pm today. Nayyar was a noted journalist, author, human right activist, diplomat and parliamentarian. He served as India’s High Comissioner to United Kingdom 1990. He was a member of India's delegation to the United Nations in 1996. He was appointed He was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member in 1997. He authored books like Beyond the Lines, India after Nehru, Tales of Two Cities and others. Hailing him as a “determined champion of democracy during emergency”, President ram Nath Kovind, expressed grief.

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. His readers will miss him. Condolences to his family and associates #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 23, 2018

Prime Minister Modi tweeted: “Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences.”

Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2018

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also condoled the death of the veteran journalist:

Sad news coming in about the passing away of noted journalist and human rights crusader Mr Kuldip Nayyar. He will be missed for his fight for press freedom and democratic values in these testing times. A huge loss to the nation https://t.co/rYft4uosc8

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 23, 2018