[A veteran journalist, leading human rights defender and, more than that, arguably the topmost Kashmir expert and a lifelong crusader for just peace there passed away last Saturday, rather unnoticed in the rest of India. That's just too sad.]
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2014/Aug/31/veteran-journalist-balraj-puri-passes-away-19.asp Veteran journalist Balraj Puri passes away GK NEWS NETWORK Jammu, Aug 30: Veteran journalist and writer Balraj Puri passed away here on Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 86. Puri was not keeping good health for some time and was under treatment at Government Medical College Hospital Jammu where he breathed his last. He is survived by wife Dr Subash Gupta, Educationist; son Luv Puri, presently in the United States and daughter Prof Ellora, serving at Political Science Department, Jammu University. As per the family, the cremation will be held on August 31 at 4 P.M. at Jogi Gate cremation ground. Born on August 5, 1928, Puri was a graduate from the erstwhile Prince of Wales College, now named as Government Gandhi Memorial Science College. A multi-faceted personality, Puri was recipient of Padam Vibhushan. He was honoured with the prestigious civilian award in 2005. Puri was a prolific writer and authored more than 35 books on different topics, penned numerous articles on politics, economic and social issues. He was a social and political activist and also championed the cause of human rights as member of Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). Puri was one of the pioneer journalists from Jammu and Kashmir who started an Urdu weekly, Kashmir Sansar, on June 27, 1942 and later edited Urdu daily Sach in 1950. He was also in-charge editor of monthly New Socialist (1957-69); edited bimonthly Kashmir Affairs (1959-61) and published bimonthly Human Rights (1993). He has contributed numerous articles to national dailies and prestigious academic journals in India and abroad. Puri encouraged numerous youth in the journalistic profession and started the Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan branch of Jammu for imparting training in journalism. Several pass outs of the institution are holding prestigious positions in the media. Puri had an interest in political movements too. He founded students' movement in Jammu during 1946 and raised Peace Volunteer Corps in 1947 against political riots and had the opportunity of frequent meetings with Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and other leaders as well as founder of National Conference Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah. He intervened during Nehru-Abdullah talks on Centre-State relations in July 1952 with a proposal for autonomy of the regions within the State which both leaders approved. During long incarceration of Sheikh Abdullah after August 1953, he acted as a mediator between him and leaders like Nehru and Jai Prakash Narayan, which paved the way for the release of Abdullah and Nehru-Abdullah meeting in 1964. He had the distinction of forming the first opposition party, PSP, in Kashmir and Jammu divisions and intervened in Kashmir problem during crucial occasions including theft of holy relic from Hazratbal and 1986 riots. He also played part as mediator between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Abdullah which led to 1975 Accord between them. By virtue of this accord, Sheikh Abdullah became the Chief Minister of J&K with the support of that time ruling Congress party. Puri, as Director of Institute of J&K Affairs, conducted research and organised seminars on a large number of social, political and economic problems of the State since 1970, including those sponsored by Indian Council of Social Science Research; Institute of Historical Studies, Calcutta, World Bank and UNICEF. Puri became the founder member of Association of People of Asia and President of Association of Voluntary Agencies for Rural Development, J&K Chapter. He played a vital role as a Vice-President, Minority Council of India and also working Chairman of Regional Autonomy Committee (1996-99). Puri was the winner of National Harmony Award instituted by Organisation of Understanding and Fraternity, given by Mother Teresa. He was also recipient of M A Thomas Human Rights Award. Governor N N Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Legislative Assembly Speaker Mubarak Gul have condoled the demise. The entire House expressed sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul. Peoples Democratic Party has also condoled the demise. Former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Prof. Bhim Singh described Balraj Puri as a strong champion of the cause of the suffering people. Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS) has expressed heartfelt condolences on the demise of Balaraj Puri. Hurriyat Conference Jammu & Kashmir leader and Democratic Freedom Party chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah has expressed deep sorrow over the demise. Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Aug 2014 21:30:00 Makkah time Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Aug 2014 18:30:00 GMT Lastupdate on : Sun, 31 Aug 2014 00:00:00 IST[Also see: < http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Balraj-Puri-veteran-journalist-dies-at-86/articleshow/41279271.cms>, < http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/veteran-journalist-balraj-puri-passes-away/article6365845.ece>, < http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/journalist-and-human-rights-activist-balraj-puri-passed-away/ >.] -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
