New Delhi (December 31, 2014): The National Union of Journalists (India) NUJ(I) is deeply saddened by the demise of its founder member Boobli George Verghese. He was 87. # Born on June 21, 1927 BG Verghese was a veteran Indian journalist, who was editor of the leading papers like Hindustan Times (1969–75) and Indian Express (1982–86). He was also a member of the Editors Guild of India Fact Finding Mission to Gujarat in April 2002. In 1975, he received the Ramon Magsaysay award for outstanding contribution to journalism. Since 1986, he has been associated with the social sciences think-tank Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. Verghese attended the Doon School. He then studied Economics at St. Stephen's College, Delhi and pursued a Master's Degree from Trinity College, Cambridge. At the Doon School Verghese edited the Doon School Weekly. # Verghese was Media Adviser to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during 1966-69 and wrote her speeches. Subsequently, he joined as editor, Hindustan Times, but he would lose his post for daring to criticise Indira Gandhi during the dark years of the Emergency. His integrity in those years earned him immense respect and he was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay award that year. # In a statement, NUJ spokesperson Ras Bihari and Secretary Pramod Saini expressed their grief over the sad demise of BG Verghese. They said Vergheseji was a brave man who stood for the rights of journalists and struggled against dictatorship. NUJ(I) Secretary General Prasanna Mohanty sent a condolence message to Verghese family # “The NUJ salutes BG Verghese as a courageous journalist who upheld the ethics of journalism even at a heavy cost to himself. As NUJ(I) founder member he had agitated against the management of Hindustan Times in 1975 for taking arbitrary action against him,” said Mr Mohanty. ## Issued by Office Secretary, NUJ(I)