Good Bye, KD

Kumar Dhananjay, Consulting Editor of Urban Update, died at age 46, having lived a life that would have sent a lesser man to ashes years earlier. He struggled with his health condition now and then but it never stopped him from living life to the fullest. Known for his flamboyance and distinctive laugh, he will be greatly and dearly missed in media circle, office, among friends and in family

Obituaries are difficult to write. It becomes more difficult when you have to write about your close one.
Dhananjay was not just a phenomenal journalist but a great friend and colleague. Some called him KD, family and fellow students in Jawaharlal Nehru University have known him as Pinku. Kumar Dhananjay, born in Madhubani, joined Bachelor of Arts (French) in Jawaharlal Nehru University in 1993. He was elected Convenor of School of Language with a record-high number of votes in JNUSU in 1994-95. He remained active in student politics throughout his time in the university and beyond. He stayed in the University till he completed his M. Phil.
He began his career in media with India TV and later joined TV Today group where he spent most of his journalistic career. In 2016, he joined Urban Update as Consulting Editor and contributed significantly editorially in taking the magazine to greater heights. In his two-decade-long career as a journalist, he worked for many media organizations, including India TV, TV Today Group (AajTak), All India Radio, Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) World (Turkish State-owned News Channel), and in his final years with Urban Update magazine.

He always fell in love with whatever he did and always used to get irritated if the things were not done correctly. He took the Urban Dialogues, the flagship conference of the magazine, to a new level with his proactive initiatives. His journey with Urban Dialogues started in Varanasi where he made sure that then Union Minister for Urban Development Narendra Tomar attended the program. It was the first Urban Dialogues beyond the limits of Delhi and Mumbai. He believed in making a mark. The last event he managed and administered with Urban Update team was the 5th South Asian Cities Summit in Goa this year. When the lockdown was announced, he enthusiastically hosted a series of webinars and remained engaged in every aspect of it, from speaker invitation to report finalization.
KD was always a source of inspiration for the editorial team. His passion and dedication at work was exemplary and served to lift the spirit of all he worked with. As a senior editorial person, he did not pull ranks but was very particular to the kind of work he wanted to be done. He was disappointed with the current state of media and often told me that he had stopped watching TV news since the TV media turned primetime into a circus. He was an intellectual par excellence and had excellent news sense. He could discuss anything under the Sun for hours and be furiously in disagreement with you. But the next moment, he would break bread together and crack jokes. That was him.
He struggled with his diabetes, he had a sweet tooth and could barely hold his temptation to have a piece or two of Jalebi or for that matter, any Indian sweet dish. When you tried to restrain him by telling him, it is not good for you, He would promptly say, “Ek Se Kuch Nahi Hota, yaar”. He loved travelling and trying new cuisines. I travelled along with him to several Indian and international destinations and he would always find “good places to eat”. At times, we walked kilometres to have a good cup of tea. He loved non-vegetarian food but always made sure that there is something special in vegetarian too; considering me being vegetarian. He also loved good music, especially ghazals of Faiz. Hum Dekhenge… was one of his favourites. He was regular at the cultural festival Jashn-e-Rekhta
Many friends and colleagues, who paid homage to him on social media and at his cremation, agreed on two points. One, he had a hot temper. And, second, he was among the kindest and most generous persons.
Just before dinner, he collapsed in his house in Vasant Kunj. He was rushed to Fortis Hospital but could not make it. No one knows exactly what happened so suddenly. He was not infected with COVID but the pandemic has had an impact on his physical health and mental well-being. He could not go for his regular checkups; he stopped going for morning walks which he loved and also could not go to Haridwar for attending regular Yoga Sessions. I think all of this coupled together caused this tragedy.
His passing away is a great loss to Team AIILSG and Urban Update. And, this is recognized by one and all. Everyone in the team from Rajiv Agarwal, Director General, AIILSG to Ashok Wankhade, Managing Editor, Urban Update, Ravi Ranjan Guru, Deputy Director-General, Debarishi Pandya, CFO, AIILSG, AK Jain, Sunil Velankar, Jayant Pathak, Mukul Sharma, KR Sharma, Manoj Joshi, and hundreds of senior and junior colleagues sent their condolences to the bereaved family. Not only from the present organization, his former colleagues from Aaj Tak have also paid rich tributes to him. That is how he lived his life and earned love and respect from all ranks.
KD will always be remembered for his frank opinions, fearless approach, and his zeal for living every moment to the fullest.