NEW DELHI: Former chairman of Prasar Bharati and veteran journalist MV Kamath died this morning after a brief illness at the age of 93.

A Padma Bhushan awardee, Kamath was also the former Editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India. Kamath served as the Washington correspondent of The Times of India and as editor of The Sunday Times. He also worked for the Press Trust of India.

After beginning his career as a chemist, Kamath joined journalism as a reporter with the Free Press Journal in Mumbai. He was the president of Bombay Union of Journalists in 1953.

Born in Udupi on 7 September 1921, Kamath completed his early education in Manipal. He graduated in B Sc.

A prolific writer, he wrote several books including Narendra Modi – The Architect of a Modern State (2009) with co-author Kalindi Randeri and Reporter at Large (2002). Other books included one on the Pursuit of Excellence.

Kamath was the honorary director of the Manipal School of Communications since its inception in 1997. He was a board member of Manipal University.