Senior Journalist and TOI Ex-Editor Dileep Padgaonkar Passes Away

In 2002, he was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, for his services to journalism.

Senior journalist and former editor of Times of India Dileep Padgaonkar passed away in a Pune hospital on Friday morning.

The 72-year-old journalist was admitted to the Ruby Hospital in Pune on 18 November. He died of renal failure.

Padgaonkar was born on 1 May 1944. After graduating in Political Science from Fergusson College, Pune, he went on to study in France and received a doctoral degree in Social Sciences from the University of Paris (Sorbonne). He was the Paris correspondent of The Times of India and held many senior positions in the publication until 2005. He was the paper’s editor from 1988 to 1994.

He was part of a three-member panel appointed by the government in 2010 to suggest how India can go ahead for a political settlement in the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

In April 2002, President Jacques Chirac awarded him the Legion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian distinction for his services to journalism.

Journalists and politicians took to Twitter to send out their condolences.

Just heard that my friend and former editor, Dileep Padgaonkar, passed away in Pune. Terrible loss, feel gutted.

— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) November 25, 2016

Padgaonkar helmed TOI at a crucial time, a man of great culture and wit, he strived to raise the intellectual level of Indian journalism

— Siddharth (@svaradarajan) November 25, 2016

My first editor Dileep Padgaonkar, a man of culture and intellect, someone who encouraged young talent, has passed away. RIP

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) November 25, 2016

Sad to hear about d demise of senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar. Condolences.

— Ram Madhav (@rammadhavbjp) November 25, 2016

Sad to hear of the demise of senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar. My condolences to his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.

— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) November 25, 2016