Vishnu Pandya is a journalist, biographer, poet, novelist, writer and political analyst from Gujarat, India.[1] He has been the chairman of Gujarat Sahitya Akademi since 2017. Pandya writes articles on politics, history and historical places which are carried by several Gujarati newspapers and magazines, are among the most widely read columns in the State.[2][3][4][5] He has been active in journalism for the last 40 years. Along with column writing in a Gujarati daily, he serves as General Secretary of Vishwa Gujarati Samaj.[6]
Early life
Pandya was born in Manavadar in Junagadh State (now in Junagadh district of Gujarat). He was educated at Bahauddin College, Junagadh. His father had worked in South Africa before his return to India after World War II. He was the District officer – Education in Manavadar.
He married Arti Pandya. She died on 24 January 2018.[7]
Career
Pandya started his career with Sadhana weekly, later became an editor of it at the age of 22.[8][9] He was honored by the All Indian Newspapers Editor for protest on censorship during the Indian Emergency. He managed to publish the magazine and wrote against the censorship. He was appointed the chairman of the Gujarat Sahitya Akademi in May 2017.[10]
Pandya as a Journalist :
Sub Editor : Jansatta-Loksatta (Indian Express Group, Gujarat) 1981–1987
His writing has various subjects from political criticism and analytic to history research. He has written many biographies. Apart from these writings he is actively contributing to journalism, having written many books on the field of journalism. To this date he has written 101 books.
Books
Books on Journalism
Patrakaratva no Itihas
Patrakartvani Vikasrekha
Patrakartvana Pravaho
Kalamna Sipahi
Patrakartva Dasha ane Disha
Akhabarnu Sampadan
PAtrakartva ane Kanun
Chandarvo 1–2
Sahitya Dainandini
Gujaratnu Swatrantrottar Patrakartva (Fellowship from Dr. Chaturvedi University, Bhopal)
Criticism on Political Issues
Bhaarelo Agni
Seema Par Savdhan
Sarhadni Salagti Samshyao
Raktranjit Punjab
Algavni Aandhi
Rajkiya Zanzavati Varsho
Gujaratni Chutani Shantranj 1952–2001
Tasveer-e-Gujarat
Samayna Hastakshar
Swarnim Gujaratna Pachash Varsh
Gandhiji ane Bharat Vibhajan
Biographies
Rastrayagnana Rutvij
Lala Hardayal
Bhagvati Charan Varma
M.N.Roy
Jeevan Sadhakni Vimalyatra
Syamji Krishnavarma
Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay
History Research
Londonma 'Indian Sociologist'
Rang De Basanti Chola
Gujaratna Sasatra Swatrantjangno Itihas
Pandit Shyamji Krishnavarma
Gujaratna Kranti Tirtho
Jaihind! Jaihind!
Ma, Tuje Pranam!
Viplavma Gujarat
Shahid katha
Gujarat: 1857
Sattavanthi Subhash
Essays
Shahmrug ane Devnama
Vasant ane Ihamrug
Padchinhopar Pachhavalta
Hathelinu Aakash
Recognition
The President, Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Vishnu Pandya, at a Civil Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on 30 March 2017
Pandya was imprisoned during Indian emergency of 1975–76. At that time his first book, Haheli nu Aakash (હથેળીનું આકાશ), was appreciated by the Gujarat Government and won a prize, but Pandya did not accept the prize.[citation needed] He received Narmad Suvarna Chandrak from Narmada Sahitya Sabha for historical writing in 1991.[citation needed] He was awarded Padma Shri in 2017 for literature and history.[13] In 2019, he was awarded a D.Lit. by Gujarat University.[14]
