The editor of Eastern Eye newspaper, Amar Singh, is leaving the paper for a position at London’s Evening Standard, AIM has learnt. The recently married 26 year old gave in his notice to senior management earlier this week after returning from his honeymoon. Staff at Ethnic Media Group (EMG), which owns Eastern Eye, were told earlier today.
Rumours of the move had been circulating for weeks and it was only today that Amar Singh (pictured) confirmed the move. Many had even linked journalist Shekhar Bhatia's name with the move. He said he was interviewed by the Evening Standard’s editor Veronica Wadley and offered the position after shift-working on its Sunday news desk for a few months. He will continue to be at Eastern Eye until September.
In a statement to AIM he said: "After three years as editor of Eastern Eye, I have decided it is time to move on and will be leaving EMG later this year. I have accepted a full time position to work as a reporter for the Evening Standard on the news desk.
"After they interviewed me, both the editor and deputy editor of the Evening Standard made it clear to me that they are delighted that I am joining them and I am very much looking forward to it.
"My decision to resign was not one I reached easily as I have thoroughly enjoyed my job over the last three years. Being editor of Eastern Eye, Britain's most widely read Asian newspaper, has been an honour and privilege that I will miss. I wish everyone at EMG the best of luck for the future and thank them all for their support over the years."
Wayne Bower, managing director of EMG, said: "Over the past three years, Eastern Eye newspaper has developed more than at any other time. Amar's decision to leave is a disappointment but we understand and respect his decision, and are pleased he is pursuing his goals. "[He] has created a strong and dynamic team for the future and we look forward to the appointment of a new editor to continue the good work."
Amar started his journalist career as news and current affairs editor on the website Clickwalla.com. He worked there for a year before joining the newspaper India Weekly, then an independent title owned by Ashoka Publications that was subsequently bought by EMG and finally folded into Asian Times.
He was drafted into joining as a news editor on Sarwar Ahmed’s Asian Xpress (which closed in late 2003) under the editorship of Nadeem Khan. When the latter left the paper, Amar took over. It was Mujibal Islam's departure from Eastern Eye in late 2002 that triggered an invitation for Amar to join as editor and he has been there since September 2002.
Although there is no confirmation on who will take over as editor, it has been widely rumoured that Burhan Ahmad, previously deputy editor at Eastern Eye and now editor of Asian Times newspaper (also owned by EMG) will replace him.
When asked of the likelihood, Amar said: "Burhan has only recently taken over as Asian Times and is very happy editing that newspaper." It is likely the newspaper would recruit externally, he added. Reporter Savita Vij is also leaving the newspaper after less than a year at the paper to pursue other interests.
