Surendra Kishore

Surendra Kishore is a Hindi journalist from Bihar with a career of more than fifty years. He was named for the Padma Shri in 2024 in the field of literature and education, from Bihar ^[1].

Activist and journalist

He was born on 2 January 1947 into a farming family in Bharahapur village, Saran district, and earned an honours degree in history ^[2]. Rather than take a government job, he became a political activist and then a journalist ^[2]. He was arrested during a protest in Delhi in 1969, took part with his wife in the JP movement, and during the Emergency worked with George Fernandes ^[2].

Newspapers

After freelancing, he joined mainstream journalism in 1977 and held senior posts at Aaj, Jansatta, Hindustan and Dainik Bhaskar ^[2]. He also wrote for magazines such as Dharmayug, Dinman and Ravivar, and still writes for leading newspapers and websites ^[2]. His reports often prompted debate in the Bihar assembly and in Parliament, and he interviewed Jayaprakash Narayan ^[2].

His large personal library draws researchers from outside Bihar ^[2]. Known for his simple way of life, he has turned down many local and regional awards ^[2].