New Delhi: Veteran journalist B.G. Verghese, who in 1975 won the Ramon Magsaysay award for outstanding journalism, died in Gurgaon near here Tuesday. He was 87.

Verghese, a former editor of the Hindustan Times, passed away at 6 p.m. at his son’s residence, a family member said. His body will rest till the cremation Jan 1.

The former information advisor to prime minister Indira Gandhi leaves behind wife Jamila and sons Vijay and Rahul.

Friends described Myanmar-born Verghese as a tireless crusader for the underprivileged and an inspirational journalist.

A product of The Doon School and the University of Cambridge, Verghese was associated since 1986 with the think-tank Centre for Policy Research.