Thu Jan 09 07:47:16 UTC 2025: ## Pritish Nandy: Remembered as a Courageous Cowboy Editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India
**Mumbai, India** – Pritish Nandy, renowned poet, photographer, and entrepreneur, is best remembered for his tenure as editor of *The Illustrated Weekly of India*. A new account details his impactful, and often controversial, leadership of the magazine, highlighting his unwavering support for his journalists and his fearless approach to investigative reporting.
Nandy’s appointment in 1983 was met with union resistance, yet he quickly established himself, revamping the magazine’s operations and fostering a culture of journalistic courage. Former deputy editor Sailesh Kottary recounts Nandy’s willingness to take risks, assigning staff to high-profile interviews and supporting them through legal battles stemming from controversial stories. These included reports on a southern state’s Chief Minister, a Mumbai ashram, and the Commission of Inquiry involving Supreme Court judges, even facing government censorship for a critical piece on Operation Bluestar and Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Kottary describes Nandy’s leadership as one that provided “carte blanche” to his reporters, allowing them to tackle sensitive topics like the nuclear establishment and the work of prominent figures such as Dr. Verghese Kurien and Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. Furthermore, Nandy’s commitment extended to international reporting, evidenced by securing interviews with mercenary trainer Frank Camper and Ma Sheela. His influence also modernized the magazine’s visual appeal, attracting internationally acclaimed photographers.
While Nandy went on to build a successful entrepreneurial career after the *Weekly’s* closure, his legacy as a courageous and supportive editor remains firmly etched in the memories of those who worked under him. The author emphasizes that Nandy stood firmly by his staff, even when facing severe legal repercussions. His editorial style, described as that of a “Cowboy Editor,” is celebrated for its fearless pursuit of truth and unwavering support of his journalists.
First Piper 