Srinagar, May 11: Kashmir Press Association, a conglomerate of newspapers, news agencies and local television networks in Valley today felicitated Ghulam Hassan Kaloo, Editor-in-Chief Mirror of Kashmir on bagging a prestigious national award for his contribution in highlighting crucial issues.
 Speaking at a felicitation ceremony and seminar on “Media Obligation Towards Society” organised by KPA, Kaloo gave his impressions on receiving the Newsmakers Achievers Award-2010 given to him by Newsmakers Broadcasting Communication Pvt Ltd in Mumbai on May 1.
 The organization selected 68 people across India and 40 of them were short listed for the award. G H Kaloo was the only one from media in north India to get it.
 Kaloo said it were his write-ups on water bodies and encroachment on paddy fields and subsequent follow-ups through public interest litigations in Valley courts which impressed the committee to select him for the award.
 Urging the young generation to rise to the occasion by waging war against evils like moral degradation, he dedicated the award to media men and people living in rural areas who have no access to power corridors.
 Addressing the function, the Central University Vice-chancellor, Prof Abdul Wahid Qureshi urged Kashmir Press Association to form a committee whereby journalists in Valley could be held accountable on various allegations.
 “Be committed to basic human values by promoting social welfare and never misuse power of the pen,” Qureshi told journalists.
 On the occasion, he said that a course on Convergent Journalism would be introduced and similarly courses on Nano Science and Biodiversity would be started in CU.
 The CM’s Principal Secretary, Khursheed A Ganai congratulated Kaloo and said it was Jammu and Kashmir state  which had bagged the award received by Kaloo, who is also the president KPA.
 Director Information Farooq Renzu criticized section of media which maligns image of Kashmir outside the State by exaggerating incidents, which otherwise are normal.
 “A grenade attack in Lolab area of Kupwara is being given huge display in the national newspapers’ front pages and dateline is being distorted in the name of Srinagar which harms the interest of the state,” Renzu said while hailing contribution of Kaloo in highlighting problems of journalists in Kashmir.
 Others who spoke on the occasion included, journalists Shujat Bukhari of The Hindu, Altaf Hussain of BBC, Wajih Andrabi of Etala’at, writer and poet Shahid Budgam. Mubashir Rufai was the moderator for the ceremony and seminar.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 May 2010 00:00:00 IST