Veteran journalist and former Chief of Bureau of The Hindu in New Delhi K.K. Katyal died in a hospital here on Wednesday after a brief illness. He was 88.
He is survived by his wife Darshan and daughters Anita and Sugita, both of whom are journalists.
Katyal was with The Hindu since the launch of its New Delhi edition in 1986. He had previously worked with The Statesman and Hindustan Times.
Born in Jhang in what is now Pakistan and fondly called “Jhangi” he was widely travelled and had wide contacts in political and diplomatic circles.
After retiring from The Hindu in 2004, Katyal was associated with the South Asia Free Media Association and president of its India chapter.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday condoled the death of veteran journalist K.K. Katyal and described him as a ‘conscientious chronicler of the nation’s evolution over decades’.
Gandhi said “his contributions will be remembered always”.
Katyal, 88, was The Hindu’s former Delhi chief of bureau. He passed away at a Delhi hospital on Wednesday after a brief illness. He had also worked in The Statesman and Hindustan Times.
President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday condoled the passing away of veteran journalist K.K. Katyal.
In a condolence message to the veteran journalist’s wife Darshan Katyal, the President said: “I am sad to learn about the passing away of K.K. Katyal. He was a much loved and admired personality in the world of media. He had a long and distinguished career, especially with The Hindu, The Statesman and Hindustan Times.”
He said Katyal’s services as President of the South Asia Free Media Association will be remembered by the media fraternity across the region.
In his death, Mukherjee said, the nation has lost an outstanding and veteran journalist who will continue to be a source of inspiration to the younger generation of journalists.
“Please accept my heartfelt condolences and convey the same to the rest of your family members. I pray to the Almighty to give you and other members of the family strength and courage to bear this irreparable loss,” Mukherjee said.
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