ITV News
H K Dua, veteran journalist and ex-Rajya Sabha MP, dies at 88
From newsroom to diplomacy, a life of sharp insight and service
NEW DELHI: Veteran journalist, diplomat and former Rajya Sabha member H K Dua passed away in Delhi on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. He was 88. Admitted to a private hospital three weeks ago, he breathed his last surrounded by family.
His funeral will be held at noon on Thursday at the Lodhi Road crematorium.
Born on 1 July 1937, Dua built a career that travelled from bustling newsrooms to the corridors of power. He combined a reporter’s curiosity with a statesman’s restraint, leaving his mark on journalism, public life and diplomacy.
Over several decades, he steered some of India’s most influential newspapers. He served as Editor of The Hindustan Times from 1987 to 1994, Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express between 1994 and 1996, and later led The Tribune from 2003 to 2009. He also held the role of Editorial Advisor at The Times of India.
Colleagues remember him for his sharp political insight and unwavering belief in editorial independence. His columns and television appearances reflected a mind that preferred nuance over noise.
Dua’s counsel was sought beyond the newsroom. He served as media adviser to former prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and H D Deve Gowda, navigating the delicate space between government communication and media scrutiny. From 2001 to 2003, he represented India as Ambassador to Denmark.
In 2009, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, where he spoke frequently on foreign affairs, national security and the importance of a free press. He also served on the National Security Advisory Board and several parliamentary committees.
For his contribution to journalism, Dua was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2008. He was also conferred honorary doctorates by Punjab University and Kurukshetra University, and served on academic bodies including the Senate of Punjab University and the Court of Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders such as Shashi Tharoor and Manish Tewari recalling his intellect, integrity and measured voice.
In an era often defined by raised volumes, H K Dua stood out for his calm clarity. He did not just report on history. At crucial moments, he helped shape the conversation around it.
ITV News
Deepak Bhojwani exits SonyLIV
Advertising executive closes chapter after working on marquee properties from UEFA Champions League to Kaun Banega Crorepati
MUMBAI: Deepak Bhojwani has moved on from SonyLIV, drawing the curtain on an 18-month run that placed him at the centre of some of India’s most powerful television and streaming properties.
Bhojwani served as manager, content partnerships and ad sales at the streaming platform, where he handled more than 45 key accounts and worked closely with agencies to structure advertising deals and brand integrations across major intellectual properties.
The role brought him into the commercial engine room of premium content—from global sporting events such as the UEFA Champions League and major tennis tournaments to flagship Indian entertainment shows including Kaun Banega Crorepati, MasterChef India and Shark Tank India.
During his tenure, Bhojwani also secured key advertisers across marquee events such as the French Open and the Asia Cup, winning the platform’s quarterly “Customer Champion” recognition for exceeding revenue targets.
Before joining SonyLIV, Bhojwani held senior ad-sales and partnership roles across the digital and sports media ecosystem, including stints at Viacom18 Sports, Airtel Digital, Paytm, and OYO. His career spans more than a decade across category building, strategic partnerships, and B2B account growth.
Bhojwani described the stint as a demanding but formative phase that deepened his understanding of the content ecosystem, particularly the fast-evolving non-fiction and sports landscape.
The next destination remains undisclosed. But in an industry where content, commerce and advertising increasingly collide, the next chapter is unlikely to stay unwritten for long.
