Remembering Pt. Agya Ram Prem: A pioneer of ethical hindi journalism

Punjab (The Uttam Hindu): Devbhoomi Himachal has given birth to a select few great sons who, through their remarkable contributions in every sphere of society, not only brought pride to their native land but also shouldered the responsibility of guiding society in a new direction—an endeavor in which they were largely successful. Although such great personalities are no longer among us, their memories remain etched on the collective conscience and will endure for generations. One such eminent figure was Pandit Agya ram Prem.

The very mention of his name instantly draws one’s attention to the pen. A master of the written word, Pandit Prem used his pen not only to serve society but also to support, mentor, and guide countless young people toward the path of righteous journalism. The position he achieved after overcoming severe hardships stands as a shining example of his competence and dedication.

Throughout his long journey in journalism, he did not believe that merely following traditional goals was sufficient. Instead, he considered it his duty to prepare and inspire young journalists to walk this path with full awareness and responsibility. Even today, numerous professionals working in newspapers across the country are a direct result of his guidance and influence.

Born on July 18, 1937, in village Bathra of Dehra Gopipur tehsil in Kangra district of Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh, the life of Agya ram Prem is a story of resilience and perseverance of an ordinary man who faced relentless struggles. He was an extremely sensitive, compassionate writer and creative thinker. In the field of journalism, he made a significant contribution by writing and editing the book Patrakar, through which he introduced journalists to new directions, techniques, and writing methods. He was perhaps among the first journalists in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to initiate the tradition of illustrated feature writing in journalism.

By visiting the humble homes of the poor and capturing their lived experiences, he portrayed the common people’s suffering and distress with precision and empathy. Through his incisive writing and commentary published in newspapers, he brought these issues to society at large and stirred the conscience of millions. An avid reader from childhood, Pandit Prem managed to carve out time for his studies and attained higher education despite working 14 to 16 hours a day in his village. Influenced by several scholars over time, he moved to Amritsar, where he began teaching alongside his studies to become financially independent.

In 1964, he formally entered journalism as the Amritsar correspondent for Dainik Veer Pratap and Dainik Veer Arjun (Delhi). During the India–Pakistan war of 1965, he served with distinction as a war correspondent in the border areas. In 1966, he moved to Dharamshala, where he worked as a correspondent for Dainik Hindi and Urdu Milap, Dainik Punjab Kesari, Hind Samachar, and All India Radio Shimla and Jalandhar. Eventually, he was appointed Deputy Editor at Punjab Kesari and retired as News Editor, a position he attained through unwavering dedication and hard work.

During this period, hundreds of his articles on diverse subjects were published in renowned publications such as Dharmyug, Saptahik Hindustan, Kadambini, Navneet, Dinman, Yojana, Ravivar, Kurukshetra, Haryana Samvad, Himprastha, Urdu Pratap, Hind Samachar, Tej, Ajit, and Punjabi Digest. Several of his writings were also published in other Indian-language and foreign journals. His talks were broadcast on Jammu, Jalandhar, and Shimla radio stations, and his plays were telecast on Doordarshan Jalandhar. His illustrated and deeply moving article on war widows shook the entire nation. Some of his articles published in Dharmyug and Saptahik Hindustan even led to attention motions being raised in Parliament and State Assemblies.

Late Agyaram Prem authored the essay collection Adarsh Nibandh and a collection of children’s stories titled Amar Deep. He also wrote the book Patrakar to guide aspiring and practicing journalists. At the time, no other Hindi book provided such comprehensive knowledge on journalism. These works were produced during an era when publishing books was an exceptionally challenging task.

In recognition of his services to journalism, he was honored with the prestigious Matrishree Award in 1982. During 1995–96, he served as a member of the Jalandhar Telephone Advisory Committee. He also remained a trustee of the Chintpurni Temple in Himachal Pradesh for a long period.

Alongside journalism, he was actively involved in social service. He never forgot the soil in which he was raised. After completing his eighth standard, he facilitated the establishment of a school in his native village Bathra, which today has grown into a strong institution providing education up to the 10+2 level to countless children. He made significant contributions to the construction of a post office, dispensary, and road in the village. It was due to his selfless efforts that today a dozen buses regularly ply on this route.

During his journalistic career, he came into contact with many politicians who acknowledged and respected his forthrightness. Being from Himachal Pradesh, he maintained a deep interest in the state’s politics. He held a strong affinity for the principles of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Despite ill health in his later years, he continued striving to remain active in journalism. Drawing from his vast experience and long career, he wished to provide a new direction to the country’s future generations—a dream he cherished after retirement.

However, before this dream could be realized, he passed away on January 13, 1998, leaving behind only memories—memories that endure. His sudden demise marked the end of an era in Hindi journalism, and the newspaper fraternity lost a seasoned and deeply committed journalist. On this day, we pay our respectful tribute to him.

— Vikrant Sharma (98140-71007)