LUCKNOW, Sept. 15 -- A tribute was paid to noted journalist and author K Vikram Rao at the ongoing 22nd National Book Fair here on the occasion of Hindi Diwas on Sunday. An event "The Journey of a Journalist to a Litterateur" brought together prominent personalities from media, arts, and administration to reflect on Rao's contributions to Hindi journalism and literature. Rao, 87, passed away in May earlier this year. The commemorative session opened with a powerful message: "Hindi is not just a language-it is the soul of our civilization and the thread that binds India together." This sentiment set the tone for the evening. The veteran journalist's wife Dr K Sudha Rao, former chief medical superintendent NCR, offered insights into their shared journey spanning seven decades. She recounted personal stories that revealed the man behind the pen-one deeply committed to truth, knowledge and cultural preservation. Noted actor and scientist Anil Rastogi, who knew Dr Rao since 1978, praised his deep cinematic knowledge and incisive critiques. "Reading his articles made me wonder how someone could possess such a vast intellect," Rastogi said. "His reviews of my plays were always filled with depth," he added. PN Dwivedi, information commissioner, described Rao as a father figure, noting: "Every journalist is a writer and K Vikram Rao gave Hindi journalism a multidimensional identity." Another information commissioner Dilip Agnihotri emphasised that Rao was an institution unto himself. His writing blended analysis with literary elegance, he said. Rao's son K Vishwadev Rao and other city journalists who worked with him also spoke about his journalistic excellence at the event....