Veteran journalist, former Rajya Sabha member and media advisor to the two prime ministers, HK Dua, passed away on Wednesday. He was 88 years old.
Dua breathed her last in a private hospital in Delhi. He was admitted to hospital three weeks ago after being unwell, news agency PTI reported.
Shortly after his death, condolences began pouring in from leaders, journalists and prominent figures. He will be cremated at Lodhi Road crematorium on Thursday.
Here’s everything you need to know about the eminent journalist, former diplomat, and Padma Bhushan:
- Born on July 1, 1937, HK Dua was also the media advisor to two prime ministers – Atal Bihari Vajpayee and HD Deve Gowda.
- He was known for his keen political insight and commitment to editorial independence. He served as editor-in-chief of the Hindustan Times (1987-94), and editor-in-chief of The Indian Express (1994-96) and The Tribune (2003-09).
- He also served as Editorial Advisor to The Times Of India (1997-1998) and has appeared extensively on national and international affairs in newspaper and television columns.
- He was also nominated as a Member of the Rajya Sabha (2009-2015) by the President, where he contributed to debates on foreign affairs and national security.
- He was also a member of the National Security Advisory Council and was part of several high-level parliamentary committees, including the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Advisory Committee on the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to PTI.
- He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by President K R Narayanan, and was awarded the D.L.T (Honours) by the University of the Punjab and Kurukshetra University. He was also a member of the Senate of Punjab University and the Tribunal of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
- Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tiwari expressed their condolences on the death of the veteran journalist.
