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
Time brings TIME100 Next franchise to India with Reliance
List to spotlight 100 emerging leaders, gala set for December 2026 in Mumbai.
MUMBAI: It’s about time India’s next wave got a global spotlight and now, it’s on the list. New York-headquartered Time is expanding its TIME100 Next franchise to India, partnering with Reliance Industries Limited to launch TIME100 Next India, its first international extension of the rising leaders platform. The announcement was made at the Time100 Gala in New York by Jessica Sibley and Nita Mukesh Ambani, signalling a strategic push to tap into India’s growing influence across sectors.
The India edition will recognise 100 emerging leaders from the country and the global Indian diaspora, spanning business, science, sports, arts and social impact. The list will be curated by Time’s editorial team and published online, continuing the franchise’s focus on identifying individuals shaping the future.
The initiative will culminate in a gala event scheduled for December 2026 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, anchoring the platform within India’s cultural and business ecosystem.
TIME’s broader Time100 franchise has steadily expanded its global footprint since 2021 through events and impact-led initiatives. Executives noted that India’s growing pool of influential voices and innovators made it a natural next step for the platform’s international ambitions.
For Reliance, the partnership aligns with its broader push to support emerging talent and ideas on a global stage. For Time, it marks a timely bet on India not just as a market, but as a talent engine shaping the next chapter of global leadership.
