Balbir Punj, An Intellectual Giant, Is No More | Obituary

Balbir Punj, an intellectual giant of India, suddenly, after just a few hours of illness, breathed his last on 18th April 2026, leaving a host of friends, relatives, and admirers mourning forever. I am one amongst them. His departure marks the end of an eminent and singular personality defined by intellectual clarity, ideological conviction, and unwavering commitment to a national dialogue. Balbir, a distinguished journalist, author, columnist, and a former Member of the Rajya Sabha, lived a life of purpose, deeply intertwined with the evolving political and cultural fabric of Modern India.

I met Balbir for the first time in 1991, when he was the Delhi Bureau Chief of the Financial Express, and I was heading the Public Relations and Publicity Department of the Life Insurance Corporation of India. Our meeting was an instant connection and liking for each other. Our familiarity turned into friendship when I was posted to Delhi in 1994. Over the years, we became brothers, sharing each other's intellectual thoughts, pains, and pleasures. He always stood by me through trials and tribulations and contributed greatly to my success. For me, the loss is deeply personal and leaves a void in the intellectual depth I often dipped into over long lunches, sometimes at his house but more often at IIC.

Born in Independent India, Balbir started grappling early on with its identity, governance, and national aspirations. His keen interest in public affairs, literature, history, politics, and ideological debates laid his intellectual plinth. He became deeply associated with institutions that sought to articulate and preserve India’s civilisational ethos.

Along with two other very close and dear friends, Late Dina Nath Mishra, former Editor of Nav Bharat Times, Delhi, and later a Rajya Sabha Member, and S. Gurumurthy, living intellectual giant and versatile thinker, THE TRIO emerged as the most articulate voices representing the national perspective and fervor, contributing to national dialogue, debate, and policy formulation.

Balbir, a fearless columnist, never shied away from taking a stand. His writings often vividly depicted deep concern about the erosion of India’s cultural and national identity and were critical of institutional weaknesses and policy inadequacies. There was a balance between critical inquiry and ideological commitment, and that made his voice influential and sometimes critical. His columns were published in a host of newspapers and widely read.

Balbir was also a distinguished author. His books, like “Tryst with Ayodhya”, “Narrative Ka Mayajal”, and “Bharatvarsh Ke Aakrantaon Ki Kalank Kathayen”, explored themes of nationalism, history, politics, and the reexamination of accepted truths. He comprehensively attempted to bridge the gap between academic discourse and public understanding.

Rajya Sabha Membership was a natural extension of his deep commitment to serving the nation. His participation in the debates demonstrated the intellectual depth, rigor, and clarity of his journalism and reflected the important role of intellectuals and thinkers in shaping legislative approaches and agendas, as well as the role of democratic institutions.

Balbir remained very closely associated with the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh throughout his life, an organisation that influenced his worldview. His association, as I understood, was ideological, shaping his appreciation of India’s history, culture, and political trajectory. He never hesitated to articulate his beliefs, sometimes authoritatively, and to engage with opposing views through dialogue and debate. Thus, he contributed greatly to ideological engagement, which is essential for any vibrant democracy.

He was a man of integrity, both financial and intellectual. I always admired his meticulous approach to research and his commitment to authenticity. Whenever I challenged him on his standpoint, he would get up, take out a book from his personal library, and put me in my place. In fact, my lunches with him became occasions to test the thesis of my approaches, convictions, and judgment calls. The real admiration I hold for him is that he never sought to influence my thinking with his opinion or point of view. He just showed me the path of the choices.

Balbir's departure at a time when public discourse is becoming increasingly fragmented will be felt; his principled voice will be missed. Yet, his writings will remain a source of inspiration and shape the views and thought processes. He will be missed by many as a journalist, thinker, politician, friend, and philosopher. A life full of courage, conviction, and commitment will remain immortal.

I will ever miss my younger brother and the storehouse of knowledge and wisdom. I pray God for his soul to rest in peace in heaven, and may the light of his intellect, wisdom, friendship, and love shine forth.

(Note: The author is a former Chairman of LIC & SEBI. Views are personal.)