Veteran Journalist and Former MLC P. Ramaiah Passes Away at 92
The Hindu Archive
Veteran journalist and former Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday night. He was 92. Family sources said he had been hospitalised for the past two weeks. He is survived by his wife Jaya and three children. His last rites will be performed in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Born on September 12, 1933, in Bindenahalli village of Nagamangala taluk in Mandya district, Ramaiah began his journalistic career in the early 1950s with . Over nearly five decades with the organisation, he reported on a wide range of beats including sports, civic affairs and politics, eventually retiring in 1998 as Chief of Bureau for Karnataka.
Colleagues remember him as a journalist with clarity, balance and deep institutional memory. Former Chief of Bureau of The Hindu described Ramaiah as an all-rounder with simple and direct language, strong leadership qualities and wide-ranging contacts across the political spectrum.
After retiring from active journalism, Ramaiah entered public life and was nominated as a Member of the Karnataka Legislative Council by the then government. He served as an MLC until 2004 and chaired a committee that recommended measures to strengthen small and regional newspapers in the State.
Beyond journalism and politics, Ramaiah held several public and advisory roles. He served as a member of the Karnataka Patrika Academy, State Accreditation Committee, Telecom Advisory Committee, and the Board of Visitors at the , among others.
In recognition of his contribution to journalism and public life, he received the Rajyotsava Award, the Bangalore City Corporation’s Kempegowda Day Award, and the Karnataka Media Academy Award. In 2022, he released his Kannada memoir Naanu Hindu Ramaiah, reflecting on his long professional journey. At the book launch, Ramaiah said the greatest achievement of his career was the affection he received from people across all sections of society, describing it as his most valuable asset.
Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum. Karnataka Chief Minister said Ramaiah worked tirelessly in the interest of the State and brought deep understanding of politics, history and social issues to both journalism and legislative work. Deputy Chief Minister described his death as a major loss to journalism.
Leader of the Opposition and Union Minister also paid tribute. Kumaraswamy called Ramaiah a true representative of value-based journalism who had guided him through difficult phases of public life.
Our Thoughts
P. Ramaiah’s passing marks the end of an era of journalism rooted in patience, credibility and public service. At a time when newsrooms were shaped by legwork rather than speed, he represented a generation that valued context over noise and trust over prominence. His seamless transition from journalism to public service reflected the respect he commanded across ideological lines. For young journalists, his career remains a reminder that integrity and empathy are enduring professional assets.