Hong Kong Dua, former editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times, died on Wednesday. He was 88 years old.
Dua was the only editor of his generation, and perhaps any generation, to have headed four major newspapers at different times – The Indian Express, HT, The Times Of India and, more recently in the 2000s, The Tribune. He was also a media advisor to Prime Ministers AB Vajpayee and HD Deve Gowda, and served as India’s ambassador to Denmark between 2001 and 2003.
Dua was nominated to the Rajya Sabha post by the Manmohan Singh government in 2009.
A man of keen political insight, Dua served as editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times between 1987-94. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express (1994-1996), The Tribune (2003-2009) and Editorial Advisor to The Times Of India (1997-1998).
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As soon as the news of Doaa’s death spread, condolences began to flow from all departments.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his condolences and said, “Dua’s commitment to truth, editorial independence and public service has enriched the public discourse.” Another Congress leader, Shashi Tharoor, described Dua as a “journalistic giant” and said he was saddened to learn of Dua’s death.
“He had the rare distinction of being editor of the Hindustan Times @httweets from 1987 to 1994, the IndianExpress from 1994 to 1996, and @thetribunechd from 2003 to 2009! We have left behind a journalistic giant,” Tharoor said in a post on X.
Friends and family remember Dua as a “loving father” and “passionate professional.”
Prashant, HK Dua’s son, said he was one of the few editors to edit four of the biggest newspapers in India. Recalling his father’s various stints as editor, diplomat and parliamentarian, Prashant said the elder Dua was a man of principle, who maintained integrity and fought for truth.
“He had many battles in his career. But he was always a stickler for principles, on the issue of principles, whatever the cost. I think he was the only editor in India to have been editor-in-chief of four of India’s biggest newspapers,” Dua’s son, Prashant Dua, told Hindustan Times over phone.
Deo was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha post in 2009 and served as India’s ambassador to Denmark between 2001 and 2003.
Speaking about his stint as a Rajya Sabha MP, Satish Kumar, who served as DUA’s secretary for over a decade, said the veteran journalist would not ask many questions in Parliament, but his questions were “sharp and pointed”.
“A satisfied man, with no regrets.”
Despite his busy professional life, leading newsrooms, and serving as a Member of Parliament, Dua has never compromised on his family life.
“Being a journalist, he would often come home very late at night. No matter what time he came home from office, 11 pm, 12 am or 1 at night, he would always make sure to take me to school, always, no matter what. This was our time,” Prashant said.
“He was a wonderful father, a wonderful professional, and a wonderful husband. He played all the roles with aplomb.”
Doaa had been sick for the past three weeks and was transferred to a private hospital. He had a stroke in May 2024 that left him weak, his son said.
Recalling Dua’s words about his career, Prashant said, “He would say, ‘I have got everything. I am very satisfied.'”
“I achieved it all, working as editor-in-chief of four newspapers, on a diplomatic mission in Denmark, then as a member of parliament and media advisor to the prime minister,” Satish recalls.
“When death comes, I have no regrets. It’s gone without any regrets. Everything I wanted, I got.”
