Kuldip Nayar

***************

A visionary mind,

A man of ideas, one of a kind.

With distinguished contemporary 

Of eminent journalists,

Like Ajit Bhattacharjea and 

George Verghese, he took flight,

Pushing boundaries,

Reaching new heights.

Notable historian Ramachandra Guha,

Described these three 

‘gentlemen of the press’,

As amongst the very few dissidents,

Who had the journalistic integrity,

To honourably resist,

Chasing ephemera and 

Entertainment. 

Innovation flows within his veins,

As he dares to challenge existing reins,

From electric cars to renewable energy,

And with a sustainable legacy,

Shaped the humane and 

Inclusive spirit 

Of the freedom struggle.

Known for his illustriously long career,

As a left-wing political commentator, 

A venture in the mind,

Connecting journalism, 

A path to find.

Kuldip Nayar is not just a name,

He's a man with dreams, 

Fueling the flame.

He inspires others 

To dream big and aspire,

To push boundaries and 

To aim even higher.

Advancing knowledge,

The following acts made him 

A legend of Indian journalism:

Starting as an Urdu press reporter,

Went on to become the Delhi bureau editor,

The iconic English newspaper,

The Statesman, and 

Later the head of the news agency, UNI.

At the forefront 

Of covering every historic moment,

The country had seen 

i.e. from the 1971 Indo-Pak war 

For the liberation of Bangladesh 

To the infamous Emergency of 1975.

Emergency was declared, 

Nayar had been one of the first journalists,

To be put behind bars 

For his detailed documentation 

Of human rights violations 

By the state.

Had also been

A staunch human rights and peace activist, 

Who had been quite vocal,

About breaking the ice 

Between India and Pakistan and 

Led many peace-centred initiatives.

Nayar’s column, ‘Between the Lines’, 

Was a true reflection 

Of his dedicated advocacy 

Gor the freedom of the press. 

His political commentary was 

Well known for being critical, 

Vociferous and unabashed 

Throughout his active years.

He was a member 

Of India’s delegation 

To the United Nations in 1996. 

Nayar had also essayed 

The roles of High Commissioner 

To the United Kingdom in 1990 

As well as a nominated

 Rajya Sabha member in August 1997.

Authored many books, 

His autobiography, 

Beyond the Lines and 

Other works like Distant Neighbours: 

A Tale of the Subcontinent, 

India after Nehru, 

Wall at Wagah,

 India-Pakistan Relationship, 

The Judgement, 

The Martyr, 

Scoop and 

India House.

Those reflect his vision.

He bid adieu to the world,

On 23 August, 2018 at the age of 95,

And

With his audacity,

A pioneer, a visionary,

Changing the world 

With his extraordinary,

And

His legacy left behind by him,

Can never be replaced.