The Confederation of Newspapers and News Agencies Employees Organisations (CNNAEO) deeply condoled the demise of veteran journalist and firebrand trade union leader Santosh Kumar at his residence in New Delhi He was 93.
Expressing grief over the death of the nonagenarian trade union leader, General Secretary of CNNAEO MS Yadav said Santosh Kumar was an inspiration to all the employees in the media industry. He always used to be at the forefront of all agitations organised by the Confederation and Unions.
A former vice-president of the CNNAEO, Santosh Kumar had immensely contributed in organising different agitations during the Justice Manisena Singh Wage Board and Justice GR Majithia Wage Board seeking expeditious submission of the respective reports and then for implementation of the Wage Board Awards. He also led the agitation against the infamous Bihar Press Bill forcing the then government to withdraw it.
Sharing his decades long experience in media industry, Santosh Kumar, a rare personality, was active till 2018 and enlightened the leaders and employees about their future role and how to face the challenges ahead, Yadav said.
Born at Lahore in erstwhile West Pakistan, Santosh Kumar had migrated to Delhi. He was the News Editor of Urdu Daily ‘Pratap’. After superannuation from service, he edited ‘Trade Union Record’, a magazine published by AITUC and authored several books including ‘Lahornama’, a book highlighting his nostalgic attachment with Lahore.
CNNAEO would always cherish his immense contribution to the cause of newspapers and news agencies employees, which he tirelessly carried forward during his period spanning over decades.
Santosh Kumar is survived by his daughter and two grandsons.