Dileep Padgaonkar began his distinguished career in journalism at the age of 24. After receiving a doctorate in humanities from the Sorbonne in June 1968, he joined the Times of India as its Paris correspondent. He served the paper in various capacities before he was appointed its editor in 1988, a post he held for six years. In between, from 1978 to 1986, he also worked with UNESCO in Bangkok and Paris.

In 1994 he set up his own multi-media company – Asia-Pacific Communications Associates – and was its Chairman until 2009. In between he had a brief stint as Editor of the Gulf Today daily newspaper in Sharjah, UAE, before coming back to the Times Group as TOI’s Executive Managing Editor.

He has been a member of the National Commission for Minorities and the Chairman of the Group of Interlocutors for Jammu & Kashmir appointed by the Union government.

In November 2012 he relocated to Pune where he is the R.K. Laxman Chair Professor at the Symbiosis International University and the Chairman of the Programmes Committee of the Pune International Centre. He continues his association with the Times of India as a Consulting Editor. A prolific columnist and TV commentator, Mr. Padgaonkar has edited and authored several publications, including one on the Italian film director Roberto Rossellini that received much critical acclaim in India and abroad.

He is the recipient of the Legion d’honneur, France’s highest civilian award, for his contribution to journalism and India-France understanding.