From PM Modi to President Kovind, people remember Kuldip Nayyar, the 'Bhishma Pitamah' of journalism

Veteran journalist Kuldeep Nayar, who passed away on Thursday morning, aged 94, was respected by everyone.

Today, following the news of his death, people from across the spectrum came forward to pay homage to the veteran journalist.

Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 23, 2018

My condolences on the sad demise of veteran journalist & former Rajya Sabha member, Kuldip Nayar ji. I had met him a few months back, he was full of energy and humor. Nayar ji's firm stand against Emergency can never be forgotten. His passing away is a loss to India’s journalism. pic.twitter.com/G0wCk2nsNZ

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 23, 2018

RIP Kuldip Nayar, India’s first reporter to become editor in an era when top newsroom jobs were reserved for editorialists. A genuine scoop-man, and Ind-Pak peace visionary. You will be missed by journalists and peace activists

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) August 23, 2018

Sad to hear of the passing of Kuldip Nayar, veteran editor and writer, diplomat and parliamentarian, and a determined champion of democracy during the Emergency. His readers will miss him. Condolences to his family and associates #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 23, 2018

Saddened by the death of the veteran Journalist Sh. Kuldip Nayar. His contribution to the cause of free speech is unparalleled. He is credited with breaking some of the most exclusive news stories. Will be best remembered for his struggle against the emergency.

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) August 23, 2018

Saddened at the passing away of fearless, popular veteran journalist and author Kuldip Nayar. My condolences to his family, admirers and colleagues

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 23, 2018

Sorry to hear of Kuldip Nayar's passing. As I wrote here, he was a journalist who followed the dictates of his conscience rather than the lure of money or fame:https://t.co/zn8AL2sSx3

— Ramachandra Guha (@Ram_Guha) August 23, 2018

Sorry to hear about sad demise of journalist and writer Shri Kuldip Nayar. India has lost a committed ambassador and campaigner for secularism and harmony.
Also he was one of the few journalists who took strong stand against Emergency. RIP

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) August 23, 2018

A journalist and editor who was an inspiration to several generations, who was committed to peace and democracy, who resisted all forms of authoritarian tendencies, and challenged the sword with the pen, Kuldip Nayar is no more.. RIP

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 23, 2018

Deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of senior Journalist Kuldeep Nayyar. In his death, the nation has lost a fearless journalist and a media veteran, who was a keen observer of Indian politics. My condolences to bereaved family members. #KuldeepNayyar #Obituary pic.twitter.com/7spzzRJ9K3

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) August 23, 2018

Nayyar served as the High commissioner of India to the United Kingdom in 1990 and was also nominated as a Member of the Rajya Sabha in 1997.

Expressing his grief over Nayyar's demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered him as "an intellectual giant".

"Kuldip Nayar was an intellectual giant of our times. Frank and fearless in his views, his work spanned across many decades. His strong stand against the Emergency, public service and commitment to a better India will always be remembered. Saddened by his demise. My condolences," the Prime Minister tweeted.

In 2015, Nayyar was honoured with 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the eighth edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence awards for his contribution to the field of journalism.

He also wrote 15 books including 'Emergency Retold' and 'India after Nehru'.

With ANI Inputs