Hindi Journalism Loses Two Stalwarts

COMMUNICATION

In June Hindi journalism lost two stalwarts who were committed to justice, equality and communal harmony.

Rajkishore was widely known as one of the senior most columnists in Hindi who wrote very regularly for several leading newspapers and journals for several decades. He also edited several magazines from time to time. His commitment to equality and justice was steadfast. He was very firmly opposed to casteism. He tried to integrate the views of Ambedkar, Gandhi and Lohia in his own way. In this effort he was close to the views of Samajwadi Jan Parishad, a group with which he was associated for several years. However, he was also keen to take up the task of evolving other, bigger alternative forces. Apart from his articles, he was also known for his efforts in literature including fiction and poetry.

 He edited several volumes of writings on various current issues. He edited Hindi and English journals on Panchayati Raj and rural decentralisation for the Institute of Social Sciences for several years. He was very concerned about some of the recent trends in India, including violations of democratic norms and increasing problems of minorities.

Prabhakar Chaubey who breathed his last at a Raipur hospital in mid-June was known best for his commitment to weaker sections and socialist ideals as expressed in his weekly column in Deshbandhu newspaper, a column which continued uninterrupted for about 20 years.

 Prabhakar Chaubey, earlier a teacher and then the principal of a school, was a regular contributor to this newspaper for 58 years and also edited its evening daily for some years after his retirement from school. Although he was best known for his column, he also contributed short stories, satires and poems to this newspaper in earlier days. His column had many loyal leaders . He encouraged many young writers and budding poets.

It will be difficult to fill the void left behind by these veteran writers.

Bharat Dogra

Raksha Kunj, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi 110063