India, April 23 -- The noted thinker, writer, columnist, and former Member of Parliament, Balbir Punj, is no more. Even if the mind comes to accept this reality, the heart refuses to do so. It is extremely difficult to decide what to write, how to write, where to begin, and where to end. At times, the departure of a towering personality creates such a void that it may perhaps never be filled. The passing of Balbir Punj evokes a similar sense of profound emptiness.

He was a personality who constantly inspired and encouraged those engaged in reading and writing. Whenever a writer, columnist, or journalist associated with national discourse produced a noteworthy article, he would offer his comments on it, share it with his acquaintances for...