L. Ramnarayan Iyer, associate editor of Arab News and a long-serving staffer, was given a fond farewell on Saturday night. Iyer is returning to his native Indian city of Mumbai after 31 years of service in the newspaper's editorial department.
Arab News Editor in Chief Abdulwahab Al-Faiz paid rich tribute to his immense contribution to the newspaper over the past three decades. “It's difficult and painful to see him leaving the family of which he has been an important member.” He hoped that Iyer would continue to be connected to and part of the newspaper that he so ably served wherever he chose to be in the future.
Tariq Mishkas, editor in chief of Malayalam News and Urdu News, said he began his journalistic career with Arab News in 1988 and had the benefit of initial training from Iyer, who was already a senior journalist then. “I learned a lot from him, which kept me in good stead throughout my career,” he said.
Business Editor Khalil Hanware recalled the day both he and Iyer landed in Jeddah in 1981 to join Arab News, and said it was sad that he was leaving. “Ram was known for his quality of work, and the editions he produced had a distinct mark on them,” he added.
Iyer was described as a workaholic and walking encyclopedia who left no stone unturned for confirming facts and providing guidance to the staff.
Iyer thanked the editor-in-chief and the newspaper for the opportunity he had in working and learning throughout his 31-year career in the newspaper. “I have seen the progress of the newspaper as much as of the Kingdom. I have personally benefited in learning throughout the process of transformation of the print media from its cold print days to present desktop publishing.” He added that he was leaving due to domestic compulsions.
