‘Last of the liberal, democratic editors’
NEWDELHI: Senior journalist and former editor S Nihal Singh passed away after an illness in New Delhi on Monday. Singh, who spent many years abroad, documenting international affairs, was the editor of Statesman, the Indian Express and Indian Post; he also held the position of editor at Khaleej Times and contributed to many publications in recent years.
His contemporary and senior journalist Kuldeep Nayar said Singh’s byline was recognised for his commentary on international affairs. “While writing for the Statesman from Singapore, his dispatches were awaited as he gave a picture of what was happening in southeast Asia. He wrote well, but his writing became more chiseled after his stint in Holland, where his late wife was from,” Nayar said.
As a foreign correspondent he spent time in Moscow, London, the US, and Indonesia.
Former editor of Hindustan Times and the Tribune and former Rajya Sabha MP, HK Dua said Singh who would have turned 89 on April 30, was the “last of the liberal, democratic editors”.
“He was an outstanding editor and journalist whose commentaries on national affairs and foreign policy were always aiming to achieve objectivity and fearless comment. He believed in the highest standards of journalism and knew the value of dissent in every situation,” Dua said.
Singh also authored several books.
President of the Editors Guild of India, Shekhar Gupta remembered Singh as a “a large hearted gentleman”. “He was always happy to see much younger people, no matter how junior they had been to him, doing better. He enjoyed the media revolution and never gave the impression of resenting it,” he said.