Pune: Renowned Journalist and Academic Dr. Kiran Thakur Passes Away at 77
Pune, 28th December 2024: Dr. Kiran Thakur, a veteran journalist and former head of the Department of Communication and Journalism (Ranade Institute) at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), passed away this morning at the age of 77. He was undergoing treatment for a brief illness at a private hospital in Pune, where he breathed his last.
Dr. Thakur is survived by his wife, two sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. His sister, Bharati Thakur, is the founder of the Narmadalaya organization. Honoring his wishes, his body was donated to medical research.
Dr. Thakur had been hospitalized due to fatigue over the past week. Despite medical efforts, he passed away early this morning. His sons, Nachiket Thakur, a professor at MIT College, and Parth Thakur, a television serial producer, expressed their gratitude for the condolences pouring in from across the country.
With a career in journalism spanning over three decades, Dr. Thakur worked as a sub-editor for Pune Daily and as a correspondent for the United News of India (UNI) news agency. He also contributed to publications such as Indian Post and The Observer of Business and Politics.
In 2001, Dr. Thakur transitioned into academia, joining the Department of Communication and Journalism at SPPU as a professor. During his tenure from 2001 to 2007, he initiated several programs to foster research and development in the department. His doctoral research, which focused on web editions of Indian newspapers, was a pioneering contribution to media studies.
Dr. Thakur authored notable works, including Newspaper English and Handbook on Print Journalism, and published numerous research papers that remain influential in journalism and communication studies.
After retiring from SPPU, he served as an honorary professor at leading institutions such as the Mudra Institute of Communication and Research in Ahmedabad, FLAME University, and Vishwakarma University. He also briefly contributed to the Nana Saheb Parulekar Journalism Department at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
Dr. Kiran Thakur’s demise marks the loss of a towering figure in Pune’s journalism and academic communities. He will be remembered for his dedication to the field, his contributions to media research, and his enduring influence as an educator and mentor.
