Veteran journalist Dr K Vikram Rao no more

Dr. K. Vikram Rao, senior journalist and the National President of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ), has passed away. He breathed his last in Lucknow due to complications from a respiratory condition. He was 83.

Rao's life was devoted to journalism, principles, and public interest.

A message shared by his son, journalist K. Vishwadev Rao, stated, “It is with profound grief I have to inform you that my beloved father, Dr. K. Vikram Rao, a senior journalist and the National President of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ) breathed his last this morning at a private hospital in Lucknow, following complications related to a respiratory condition”.

Dr K Vikram Rao was a renowned figure in the Indian media. He was with the National President of the Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ), the country’s largest journalist union. Rao devoted more than four decades to the profession as a journalist, editor, columnist, academic, and international advocate for press rights.

The media industry mourned the loss of veteran journalist Dr K Vikram Rao.

"As far as the trade union movement in journalism in India is concerned Vikram Rao was both a good as well as bad example. He once headed, perhaps, the biggest journalists' union in the world, Indian Federation of Working Journalists (IFWJ), but he also contributed to the weakening of the collective bargaining power of journalists and in a certain way, was the reason for many journalists distancing themselves from media associations. However, Shri Rao was a strong leader with a clear perspective and a never say die attitude. The changing political conditions in India seemingly forced him to stray from his pro- left, Socialist political stance to a rightist and majoritarion world view. My salutes to an old Comrade and a leader who had immense organizing capabilities. Shanti shanti".