Noted journalist BG Verghese dead

New delhi, December 30

Eminent journalist BG Verghese, a Ramon Magsaysay award winner and former editor of the Hindustan Times and The Indian Express, died in Gurgaon today at the age of 87 after brief illness. He was also a columnist with The Tribune.

Verghese was diagnosed with dengue a month ago. He had been suffering from fever and weakness for couple of weeks. He is survived by his wife Jamila and sons Vijay and Rahul. His cremation will take place on Thursday.

Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has condoled the death of the veteran journalist. “He was a tireless crusader for the underprivileged and an inspirational journalist. In his death, India has lost a renowned journalist,” Singh said in a statement.

The veteran authored many books and was editor of Hindustan Times and The Indian Express from 1969-1975 and 1982-1986, respectively. The books authored by him include: India’s North East, Fourth Estate ( 2005), Waters of Hope, and his autobiography First Draft: Witness to Making of Modern India.

He was information adviser to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi from 1966 to 1969. A crusader of civil liberties and freedom of expression, he stood up as a critic of Gandhi for clamping the Emergency.

He was part of the Editors Guild of India Fact Finding Mission after the Gujarat riots in 2002.

Born on June 21, 1927, Verghese did his schooling at the Doon School. He graduated in Economics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi and subsequently his Master's from Trinity  College, Cambridge.