Journalist and publisher of Indian trade magazine All about Newspapers, Surinder Khurana has died after a three-year illness, aged 71.

Naresh Khanna of Indian Print & Publisher has reported his death on November 18, saying Khurana admired print in every form and worked to promote the print industry throughout his life: "Print was his first and last love."

He had graduated from Delhi University and the Northern Regional Institute of Printing Technology in Allahabad, and after roles with Thomson Press India and with an advertising agency, had co-founded a print production agency. He founded bi-monthly Print & Publishing in 1996, and with the help of his son Sonal and daughter-in-law Shweta went on to launch Sign & Graphics in 2000, All About Newspapers (2005) and All About Book Publishing (2010).

His S Media Group - which is continued by his family - currently has seven publications also including Dogs & Pups, The Progressive School and The Progressive Teacher.

He was actively engaged with print education in Northern India, and was a board member of several printing and packaging institutes, helping develop courses which were able to respond to technology change and industry evolution.

"As a leader of the print community, Khurana-ji was a pillar of strength for printers with whom he shared his knowledge and ideas. For his family he was the builder who gave encouragement," says Naresh Khanna. "Modest, calm and serene, he would only smile knowingly when discussing some of the foibles and shortcomings of our industry. He always managed to find the silver lining behind the darkest cloud. With a disarmingly infectious smile, he made friends easily.

"Perhaps Surinder Khurana's gentleness, generosity and kindness are the legacy that is most apparent in the institution and the family he leaves behind."

His wife Savitri died earlier this year.