11

Mar

Dr J.S. Yadav: The Man And His Mission

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Prof Pradeep Mathur

New Delhi | Wednesday | 11 March 2026

To write about someone you consider a family elder is always a difficult job, as your mind gets overwhelmed with emotions and crowded with memories of the past. Doing so for Dr J.S. Yadav is even more difficult. Having known him so closely, I am sure Dr J.S. Yadav would never have approved of an account which is high on praise and admiration and low on objective assessment. A self-effacing research scholar, who was always shy of publicity, Dr Yadav believed in substance rather than display. He abhorred self-projection and never advertised his achievements to make any personal gain from the vast contacts he had in political circles and the academic world. 

By the very nature of their profession, media persons get widely known among educated and informed sections of society. When someone is a senior faculty member and heads one of the country’s foremost institutions of media education, the circle of acquaintances naturally becomes even wider. However, Dr Yadav was much more than a widely-known media academician. He was a political thinker, a writer on social and political issues, and a scholar with a remarkable grasp of complex societal issues.

His concern for rural India was particularly striking. At a time when much of the urban-oriented media was preoccupied with power politics and issues of the urban educated upper middle classes, Dr Yadav launched Gramjan, a weekly devoted to issues affecting the neglected and poor segments of rural communities. The initiative reflected both his intellectual commitment and his social sensitivity. For him, the media was an input in development and media education was about cultivating a deeper understanding of society.

Article at a Glance
The article reflects on the life, personality and contributions of Dr. J.S. Yadav, portraying him as a humble scholar and influential figure in media education. Known for his dislike of publicity, Dr. Yadav valued substance over self-promotion and earned respect for his intellectual depth and integrity.
Beyond being a widely known media academician, he was also a political thinker and writer with a strong understanding of social issues. His concern for rural India led him to launch Gramjan, a weekly publication focusing on the problems of rural communities.
The author recounts his personal association with Dr. Yadav, highlighting how Yadav encouraged him to transition from journalism to media education. Dr. Yadav was remembered for his gentle nature, democratic leadership style, and generosity toward colleagues and staff. His enduring legacy lies in the quiet influence he had on individuals and institutions through humility, fairness and encouragement.

My own association with him began in the early 1980s, when I shifted to Delhi from The Tribune, Chandigarh. As a parliamentary correspondent, I met some of his students who introduced me to him. His grassroots understanding was of great help to me in my job as a political reporter. We soon struck a good equation and developed an everlasting relationship.

At that time, I had no interest in media education and no idea that one day I would be a media faculty member myself. The transition itself was unexpected. In the year 1989. I was working as a freelance journalist in Delhi after serving as Resident Editor of The Pioneer in Lucknow. I had gone to meet Dr Yadav to record an interview for the This Week programme of All India Radio, which was broadcast for foreign audiences. In the course of our conversation, he suddenly asked whether I would consider joining the institute. I initially thought he was joking. I had no research background and no teaching experience, and I was accustomed to the independence of a journalist’s life.

Journalists, mostly, possess a distinctive temperament. They tend to be frank, direct, quick in their reactions and often irreverent toward authority. At the same time, they can be excessively inquisitive, impatient and strongly non-conformist. Moving from such a professional culture to the structured world of academia seemed daunting.

Dr Yadav, however, listened patiently to my concerns. He pointed out that professional experience in journalism could be as valuable as formal research training. He also mentioned that the institute needed someone to edit Communicator, its journal, which required a professional editorial hand.

Encouraged by his confidence in me, I eventually joined. I arrived with a head full of ideas and plans. Dr Yadav encouraged these initiatives and extended his full support to their implementation. Looking back, I realise how decisive Dr Yadav’s encouragement was in shaping that phase of my life.

Dr Yadav’s personal qualities were equally noteworthy. Those who knew him remember him as a gentle, soft-spoken and mild-mannered person whose quiet demeanour inspired respect. Yet those who worked closely with him came to know of another dimension of his personality—his deeply democratic temperament. 

Dr Yadav’s empathy toward office employees was remarkable. He understood their shortcomings and rarely adopted a harsh or punitive attitude toward the subordinate staff.

As head of the department or as the Director ,Dr Yadav  never imposed himself on his faculty colleagues . He allowed them a free hand to work.  His attitude toward colleagues was generous and supportive. At times I felt that his generosity bordered on over-indulgence. I once asked him why he supported or promoted people who, in my view, did not deserve such encouragement. His reply was characteristically simple. He said that he was frequently invited to serve on selection committees of various universities  and other organisations where, in his opinion, many candidates chosen were not deserving. “If I have to select undeserving candidates elsewhere,” he said with a gentle smile, “why should I deny promotion to our own equally undeserving candidates?”

The remark reflected his characteristic mixture of realism and generosity. Whether one interprets it as magnanimity or excessive kindness, it certainly revealed his instinct to help rather than to obstruct others.

As an agonistic I am not sure how much the stars influence one’s destiny. Astrologers say that if in the right orbit at the time of your birth, the Sun gives you fame. Though lucky to have become a Professor, HOD and Director at a fairly early age, the Sun for certain did not favour Dr Yadav. He did not get the name and fame he deserved for all that he did or stood for.

Dr Yadav’s legacy lies not merely in the positions he held but in the quiet influence he exercised on people and institutions. He combined scholarship with humility, authority with kindness and leadership with generosity. In a profession often characterised by self-promotion and visibility, he remained a scholar who preferred work to publicity.

Those who knew him will remember not only his contribution to media education but also the warmth, patience and humanity that defined his character. His life reminds us that the most enduring influence is often exercised quietly—through encouragement, fairness and the example of integrity.

In remembering him, we are reminded that institutions are ultimately shaped not only by policies and programmes but by the character of the individuals who guide them. To understand, appreciate and practice this will perhaps be the most fitting tribute to Dr Yadav.

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