Romesh Chander

Romesh Chandra (24 December 1926 – 12 May 1984) was the co-founder and chief-editor of Hind Samachar Group of Newspapers (Publishers of Punjab Kesari, Jag Bani and Hind Samachar).

Romesh Chandra was born in Lyallpur (Faisalabad in Pakistan) on the 24th of December 1926 to parents Shanti Devi, freedom fighter and Lala Jagat Narain, also a freedom-fighter who had joined the Non-cooperation movement in 1920 on the call of Mahatma Gandhi. Young Romesh’s Satyagraha journey commenced in the year 1942 when as a student of Bachelor of Sciences – B.Sc from DAV College Lahore he led a morcha of the students on cycles as part of the Quit India movement and was subsequently arrested. He studied for his exams while in prison and secured the degree later. He was arrested and jailed several times during the freedom movement working in co-ordination with his father Lala Jagat Narain. As a young Satyagrahi he attended the Simla Conference at the Viceregal Lodge in the 1945 meeting stalwarts like Dr Rajinder Prasad, Maulana Azad, Sardar Patel, C. Rajagopalachari, Abul Kalam Azad and many more.

Romesh Chander

Political life and Contribution to society

Bravely facing the travails of one of the biggest genocides of the world – the partition of the sub-continent, Romesh Chandra’s family migrated to Jullundhar in 1947 and soon after they started publishing the Urdu daily- Hind Samachar in 1948. Constantly struggling against odds, the Hindi edition of the newspaper – Punjab Kesari was added in 1965. A decade later, in the year 1975 popular Municipal-councilor Romesh Chandra was elected as an Independent Member of Legislative Assembly from Jalandhar North by defeating a long time serving MLA. He was a renowned politician who actively advocated freedom of ‘press and pen’. Later, he held the positions of the Director of PTI – Press Trust of India and the President of INS – Indian Newspaper Society too. He became the Publicity-Secretary of Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan in 1972 which is a traditional Hindustani classical music festival organized every year since the year 1875.

Personality and Influences

A true Gandhian at heart Romesh Chandraji always wore Khadi and strongly advocated the contribution of youth of our country towards the national growth and encouraged all kinds of events through the columns of his newspapers. Besides fearless writing reflected in his editorials he was deeply interested in Music and Sports. He travelled all over India and the world interacting with individuals that greatly influenced his articles. He was frequently part of important government Delegations being invited abroad. His companion would often be his wife Mrs Sudershan Chopra; an accomplished and dedicated social worker.

Death

During the dark phase of Punjab after losing his father Lala Jagat Narain to terrorism Romesh Chandra established the legendary Shaheed Parivar Fund in 1983, for terrorist victims which till date has made a collection and distribution of crores of rupees. At every available opportunity and platform he promoted communal harmony and national integration. Romesh Chandra who looked upon Bhagavad Gita for spiritual guidance laid his life for the unity and integrity of the country when Romesh Chandra was assassinated by terrorists on 12th May 1984 for his fearless writings while returning after addressing his last meeting on communal harmony! Due to turmoil following his untimely death he was cremated in the Hind Samachar ground outside his home in Jullundhar. His brother Padamshree Vijay Chopra, present Editor-in-Chief of the Hind Samachar Group of newspapers, resumed where Romesh Chandra left to pursue the goals further, reaching newer pinnacles and summits.

RCMS-Romesh Chandra Memorial Society

Creating a timeless trail for his father’s timeless personality, Romesh Chandra’s younger son Arvind Chopra and grandson Abhishek Chopra have instituted RCMS – Romesh Chander Memorial Society to promote the Cultural, Sports and Educational activities in the revered memory of Late Shree Romesh Chander.

At present the RCMS – Romesh Chander Memorial Society holds national stature events or makes contributions on the 24th December, his birth anniversary and 12th May, his death anniversary, keeping his likeness to welfare, education, music and sports – At Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, sponsoring Educational programs, supporting Saksham Society for Visually Impaired, organizing Hockey-tournaments, National-theatre events, Bhajan-Sufi evenings & Free distribution of Food.

Important Life Events

• Born 24th December 1926, Lyallpur (present day in Pakistan)
• Died 12th May 1984, Jullundhar Punjab
• Cremation: Hind Samachar Ground, Jalandhar

Family Tree

• Spouse Sudershan Chopra (married in July 1955) – Social worker
• Children Arvind Chopra, Neeta Chopra Sahi, Late Kiran Bala Nayyer, Late Ashwini Chopra
• Father Lala Jagat Narain, freedom fighter, Journalist, Founder, Chief Editor & Proprietor of Hind Samachar Media group, Member of Legislative Assembly – former Punjab-Minister, Member of Parliament
• Mother Shanti Devi, freedom fighter

External links section

Punjab Kesari Jagbani PunjabiCategory:Romesh Chandra

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References

This article "Romesh Chander" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Romesh Chander. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.

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