Journalism has taken Indian Weekender Founding Editor Dev Nadkarni across continents, industries and cultures. Along the way, he has informed, educated and entertained millions of readers, while helping strengthen the ties between India, New Zealand and the Pacific.
A gold medallist in journalism, Dev began his career in India before becoming a well-known editorial cartoonist and writer. His work appeared in leading newspapers and magazines, but it was through the iconic Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle publications that he reached perhaps his widest and most enduring audience.
As a writer and editor, he helped create stories and characters that became part of the childhood of two generations of Indian readers, blending humour, imagination and values in a way that has stood the test of time.
His career has been marked by an uncommon versatility. He has worked as a reporter, editor, cartoonist, academic, publisher and communications strategist, always driven by a belief that journalism should connect people rather than divide them.
That belief travelled with him to the Pacific, where he became Head of the Journalism Programme at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji. There he helped educate and mentor journalists from across the Pacific Islands, many of whom have gone on to become editors, broadcasters, government communicators and media leaders in their own countries and global organisations.
His own journalism has appeared in publications across India, New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific and Europe. Throughout his career he has covered subjects as varied as politics, business, international relations, culture and community affairs, bringing the same curiosity and clarity to each.
For the Kiwi Indian community, however, Dev's greatest contribution has been through his leadership at The Indian Weekender. As Founding Editor, he helped build it into New Zealand's leading Indian publication and an influential voice for one of the country's fastest-growing communities. Under his editorial direction, the publication championed the aspirations, achievements and concerns of Kiwi Indians while encouraging greater understanding between communities.
His editorials consistently argued that New Zealand’s diversity should be recognised as one of its greatest strengths, and that the Indian diaspora had an important role to play in the country's economic, cultural and civic life. At the same time, he worked tirelessly to strengthen connections between New Zealand, India and the wider Pacific, using journalism as a bridge between nations and peoples.
Beyond journalism, his communications work has supported governments, international organisations, universities and businesses across the Indo-Pacific, helping foster dialogue, partnerships and regional cooperation.
Across a career spanning decades, Dev has demonstrated that journalism is far more than the reporting of events. At its best, it builds understanding, preserves culture, inspires future generations and strengthens the communities it serves.
The Indian Weekender recognises his contribution with a certificate of appreciation at the Hall of Fame Awards 2026.
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