Senior journalist and professor Kiran Thakur passes away

Thakur was in journalism for over three decades. He  worked in different positions at Pune Daily, United News of India (UNI) and magazines like Indian Post and The Observer of Business and Politics.

Thakur joined teaching in 2001 as professor of journalism. He went to become the head of the Department of Communication and Journalism (Ranade Institute) of Savitribai Phule Pune University, where he was posted from 2001 to 2007.

Thakur completed his PhD on web editions of newspapers in India. Along with many research papers, he also authored books including Handbook on Print Journalism. He also worked as the President of PUWJ and Pune Patrakar Pratisthan.

After retirement from SSPU, Thakur taught at Mudra Institute of Communication and Research, Ahmedabad and other educational establishments. He also worked for the Nanasaheb Parulekar Department of Journalism of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Pune.

For the last week, he was unwell and was admitted to a hospital.

The journalistic fraternity condoled his death. ”Kiran Thakur was my senior friend and a guru…I learnt a lot during my association with him. I pay my tributes to him,” said another senior journalist, Subhash Naik.

Mandar Gonjari, senior reporter with ABPMajha, said,”Kiran Thakur sir used to talk less and listen more. It is a rare quality in journalism. At Ranade institute, with Thakur sir around, we felt at home. His mere presence was inspiring…He never got annoyed or put off by budding journalists who in their over-enthusiastic attempt tried to cross-examine him or ask wayward questions. He answered everything thrown at him with calmness.. At the same time, he used to update them with the latest happenings from the journalistic field. Thakur sir had clarity of thought and a calm mind.”

”When I came to Pune from the village and took admission to postgraduate degree course in journalism at Ranade institute, I decided to leave it in less than a month as I could not adjust to the ”English” atmosphere prevalent there. I thought journalism was beyond me…I decided to return to my village.. At that moment, the department head Dr Kiran Thakur came to my rescue. He stood behind me…rock-solid. He also provided me with financial help. He helped me take recourse with the ”earn and learn” scheme. I then raced to the path of success. I worked with Pudhari, Kesari, Prabhat and then as PRO with Social Justice Department of the state government, and then as Class 2 officer in government Information and Public Relations office..Today, whatever I have achieved, it is because of my guru, Dr Kiran Thakur who played a significant role in my life,” said Suresh Patill in a social media post.