(Late) Shri Hirnand Karamchand
Hiranand Karamchand was born on 1 October 1899 in Hyderabad, Sind (Pakistan), and his birth centenary was commemorated on 1 October 1999. A graduate in Arts (B.A.), he later made Mumbai his home, residing at Colaba. He emerged as a prominent figure in post-Partition Sindhi journalism and earned wide respect for his contributions to the field.
A devoted disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, Hiranand Karamchand exemplified simplicity, dedication, and unwavering determination. Inspired by eminent stalwarts such as Sadhu Hiranand and Jethmal Parasram, he upheld the highest ideals of journalism, placing service to society above all else. Revered as a “Gentleman Journalist”, his objective and balanced editorials in Hindustan were widely admired and served as guidance for generations of readers and journalists alike.
Key Facts
- Birth Date: 1-10-1899
- Place of Birth: Hyderabad, Sind (Pakistan)
(His birth centenary was Celebrated on 1st Oct.1999) - Academic Attainments: B.A.
- Permanent Address: Mumbai, India.
As Journalist
- A true Karma Yogi life & soul of Sindhi journalism for more than 50 years. He started his career with Hindu Sindhi Daily in Sind. The newspaper had widest circulation in Sind and had a leaning towards Congress party. The Management of the paper was pure, like gold and never believed in yellow journalism. After partition of the country Hindu became Hindustan Sindhi Daily and virtually the same Editorial team took over the reins of ‘Hindustan’. Shri Hiranand Karamchand remained its head for almost 25 years. He took the newspaper to greater heights and perhaps the only newspaper, which became household name amongst the Sindhi families and read from page to page with great interest.
- Shri Hiranand never surrendered to any political pressure and published only the factual pictures of the events etc. He never compromised / sacrificed his principles. In the process he did hurt the ‘psychophants' and ‘self centered’ individuals / leaders who wanted to use this newspaper as vehicle to secure / promote their personal interest.
- He maintained his image. His honesty and integrity were beyond question. One of the rare ‘Diamonds’ in Sindhi community.
Gandhian Influence:
- Right from young age he came under the ‘influence’ of Mahatma Gandhi, and acquired quite a few attributes, like simple living, high thinking, minimum needs and went through several hardship by sacrificing ‘comforts’ in life.
- He was also considered to be the ‘messiah’ of down trodden and out of his meager salary of Rs. 125/- in those days, he contributed Rs. 75/- for down trodden and managed his household in just Rs. 50/- . He was also against the evil of social injustice.
- His wife Shrimati Kamla also sacrificed all her comforts of life and followed the path of her husband and stood by him.
- He has left behind indelible mark on ‘journalism’ and even today if you take ‘Hindustan’ in your hands under different Editorial Board, you cannot help escaping Hiranand’s image in the paper.
- He expired in October 1975.
Finale
Hiranand Karamchand a doyen of post partition Sindhi journalism, Mr. Hiranand a disciple of Gandhiji, was himself an epitome of simplicity, devotion and determination. He had imbibed the virtues of ideal journalism from stalwarts like Sadhu Hiranand and Jethmal Parasram and was himself in ideal journalist for whom service of society was above everything. Rightly called as a 'Gentleman Journalist' his objective and balanced editorials in 'Hindustan' were remarkable and provided guidance to many.