Born at Sulemanki headworks in Ferozepur district (now in Pakistan) on January 12, 1933, I got my primary education at DAV School, Amritsar and studied in Government Schools in Sabathu, Dagshai, Shimla and Solan (all in Himachal Pradesh now) from where I passed my matriculation examination from the Panjab University (then-based in Solan) in 1948 I spent the academic year 1944-45 at Lahore when I was in Class 7. Later, I did my graduation and post graduation (Public Administration) from Panjab University, Chandigarh.

I started my journalistic career as a branch editor of Hindusthan Samachar multi-lingual news agency at Kathmandu in 1963. After serving the agency for two and a half year, I joined The Tribune as a Staff Correspondent and served the newspaper for 27 years in various positions and stations. I retired as Bureau Chief of The Tribune at Delhi in 1993 and later worked for three years as Indian Express’ political correspondent at Delhi. More than 1000 articles/columns penned by me have appeared in several English-language newspapers and magazines during the past two decades.

As a professional journalist, media trade unionists and social activist, I have traveled extensively in India and abroad to address conferences, seminars and symposia. Countries I have traveled to include Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, South Korea, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Luxemburg, United Emirates, United States of America and Russian Federation.

I joined media trade union movement in 1973 as founder President of the Haryana Union of Journalists that later got affiliated to the National Union of Journalists (India). Was elected national president of the NUJ (I) in the year 2000 and remained Chairman of the Journalists Welfare Foundation for six years. Conducted INEP, a joint project of the European Commission and NUJ (I), as Director (India) for two years to create awareness about India in European Union and vice versa. Conducted a 10-day Workshop for 10 journalists from European Union and also led a 10-member delegation to Brussels for training and awareness about European Union.

Was Honorary Director of the Chandigarh-based Panchnad Research Institute from 1984 to 1988. As of now, I am the Chairman of the Institute that has since emerged as a leading forum in North-West India for free exchange of views and ideas of all hues and persuasions. It has two dozen study centres that conduct studies, hold discussion groups and organize seminar and symposia on contemporary issues and that of lasting importance. It publishes a Research Journal that I co-edit. I am also an honorary Director of Indian Media Centre that was set up in 2005 to involve all players in the media in the pursuit of professional excellence, freedom of the Press and media ethics. As of now, it has chapters in more than a dozen states and union territories. Also working as Chief Editor of Media Critique – the quarterly journal published bv the IMC on media related issues and news. Also working as Secretary General of the Council for International Affairs and Human Rights since its inception in the year 2000.