The Anjuman Urdu Sahafat marked World Urdu Day with a prominent event at Tagore Hall in Srinagar, focusing on the evolution, opportunities, and challenges facing Urdu journalism in the modern era, reports the Greater Kashmir News.
At the event, Lifetime Achievement Awards were conferred upon veteran journalists Manzoor Anjum, Editor of Daily Uqab and Abdul Rashid Shah, Editor-in-Chief of Daily Nida-e-Mashriq, for their exceptional contributions to Urdu journalism. Mohammad Shafi Samanani received the Shamim Ahmad Shamim Award, while posthumous honours were given to late Ghulam Mohiuddin Rahbar, founder-editor of Weekly Rahbar, and Aziz Kashmiri, founding editor of Daily Roshni. Dr. Ruhi Jan, an academic in Urdu journalism, was also recognised for her scholarly impact.
The gathering saw the attendance of notable figures from media and politics, including former Minister Naeem Akhtar, Anjuman Urdu Sahafat’s patron Hamid Hamid, and senior journalists from several media outlets. BBC correspondent Riyaz Masroor, the event’s chief guest, highlighted the increased engagement of Urdu journalists in digital media, describing it as a promising shift despite the challenges faced by print media.
Masood Hussain, Editor-in-Chief of Kashmir Life, urged for skill enhancement and training for emerging Urdu journalists to uphold professional standards. Professor Nasir Mirza spoke on the linguistic richness of Urdu, stressing the need for dedicated efforts to adapt Urdu journalism to the demands of the digital age while preserving its heritage.
Anjuman Urdu Sahafat’s President, Riyaz Malik, expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests, and General Secretary Bilal Farqani outlined the current challenges and future prospects of Urdu journalism in his opening address.
A posthumous certificate of appreciation was awarded to the late Mohammad Shafi Khan, founder-editor of Wadi Kashmir. Tributes were also paid to journalists who had passed away in the past year, underscoring the community’s collective commitment to strengthening Urdu journalism for future generations.
