NUJI, DJA Mourn Demise of Veteran Journalist Balbir Punj

New Delhi: The National Union of Journalists India (NUJI) and the Delhi Journalists Association (DJA) have expressed deep sorrow over the demise of noted journalist and senior BJP leader, Shri Balbir Punj. His passing marks a significant loss to both the journalistic fraternity and public life.

Members of NUJI and DJA from across the country paid rich tributes to the departed soul, remembering his immense contribution to journalism and national discourse.

NUJI President Shri Ras Bihari said, “Shri Balbir Punj was a well-known and respected member of the NUJI and DJA family. He served as Secretary General of NUJI from 1993 to 1995 and also held the position of President of the Delhi Journalists Association for two consecutive terms between 1989 and 1991. We have lost a friend, philosopher, and guide.”

DJA President Shri Rakesh Thapliyal and General Secretary Shri Pramod Kumar Singh also paid homage, stating, “Shri Punj was a multitalented personality who excelled in journalism as well as national politics with authority and grace. Apart from his distinguished journalistic career, he was a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, former party vice president, and a former Rajya Sabha member.”

Shri Balbir Punj’s demise leaves behind a legacy of integrity, dedication, and service to both media and public life.

Shri Balbir Punj passed away on Saturday evening. His death brings to close a long public career that spanned journalism, politics and public policy.

Punj was regarded as one of the BJP’s senior intellectual voices and had also served in the Rajya Sabha, where he participated in debates on social, economic and political issues. Over the years, he built a reputation as a columnist, commentator and public thinker with a strong presence in both political and media circles.

Before entering active politics, Punj had a long career in journalism. He began his professional journey in 1971 with The Motherland and later joined Financial Express in 1974, where he worked for more than two decades until 1996. He subsequently served as Executive Editor of The Observer of Business and Politics from May 1996 to March 2000.
Punj was also closely associated with journalists’ bodies and media institutions. He served two consecutive terms as President of the Delhi Journalists Association between 1989 and 1991 and was General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists from 1993 to 1995. He also chaired a Southeast Asian media training organisation linked with IIMC for two years until March 2000, reflecting his continued engagement with media development and education.

Apart from journalism and politics, Punj held several public roles. He served as Chairman of the National Commission for Youth and was also a member of the Delhi Finance Commission during 1996–97. These assignments underlined his involvement in governance and youth-related public policy issues beyond the newsroom and Parliament.
As an author and columnist, Punj remained active till his final years, writing in both Hindi and English publications. In 2022, he was honoured with the Lifelong Devrishi Narad Samman Award in recognition of his longstanding contributions.