File photo of veteran journalist Gurudas Singbal (seen standing in the middle) taking notes when former British PM late Margaret Thatcher visited the British Cemetery at Dona Paula during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) Retreat in 198
Photo Credits: Lui Godinho
Veteran journalist Gurudas Rauji Singbal passed away following a brief illness at his residence in Porvorim on Tuesday. He was 83 and is survived by his son and daughter.
In a statement to condole the passing away of its GUJ founder member Gurudas Singbal, the GUJ stated that Singbal started his journalistic career with the launch of The Navhind Times in 1964. He served the newspaper’s editorial department for 13 years, which included eight years as its chief reporter. Under the pen name of Balsing, he wrote a popular weekly column ‘Focus on Goa’.
Singbal joined Margao-based West Coast Times in the late seventies as it’s head of bureau in Panaji. During this period, he freelanced for Deccan Herald, based in Bangalore, contributing two fortnightly newsletters detailing events in Goa.
After the West Coast Times folded up, Singbal’s next journalistic stop was at The Indian Express as he joined the national newspaper as its bureau chief in Goa.
Singbal has seen Goa evolve right before his eyes, covering all the major events that shaped the state. Whether it was the first state assembly session, elections or international events like the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting that saw world leaders like British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and India’s Indira Gandhi spend time in Goa, Singbal has seen it all.
Singbal has won several awards for his journalistic achievements. His honours include outstanding journalist award, instituted by the cultural division of the Goa Kala Academy, inaugural Narad Award, instituted by the state RSS, the brilliant achievement award by the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the prestigious Dr TB Cunha Lifetime Achievement Award 2021 in the field of Journalism, DIP, Govt of Goa.
Singbal was fondly known as ‘Kaka’ in the media circle in Goa and has been a guide and mentor to many senior and young journalists based in Goa.
Post his retirement, Singbal taught journalism for six years at the Mushtifund Institute of Mass Communication in Panaji. The Goa Union of Journalists has conveyed its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.
