Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Srinagar: In a momentous initiative to celebrate journalistic excellence and commemorate the towering legacy of Kashmir’s legendary journalist, writer, and poet, Late Ghulam Nabi Khayal, the Press Club of Kashmir has announced the institution of the “Khayal Annual Award.”
The announcement was made by Salim Pandit, President of the Press Club of Kashmir, during a tribute event titled “Remembering Ghulam Nabi Khayal: A Voice of Thought – A Tribute to a Distinguished Multilingual Writer, Author, Poet, and Journalist of South Asia,” organized by Wisdom First at the Amar Singh Club, Srinagar.
Pandit said that the Khayal Annual Award will be conferred each year upon a young journalist who demonstrates exceptional integrity, courage, and commitment to the profession. “This award is not merely a token of recognition; it is a reflection of Khayal Sahib’s lifelong dedication to truth, intellect, and fearless journalism,” he remarked.
Recalling Khayal’s illustrious career, Pandit described him as “an institution in himself,” a polymath who wielded mastery over multiple languages and shaped the journalistic landscape of Kashmir for decades. Khayal’s professional journey included associations with globally renowned media organizations such as TIME Magazine, India Today, The Statesman, The Guardian (London), PTI, Voice of America, and The Illustrated Weekly of India. In his later years, he served as the editor of the English weekly Voice of Kashmir, a platform he nurtured from 2003 onwards.
Pandit emphasized that the Press Club of Kashmir takes immense pride in announcing this award, which will be formally presented next year. “Through this annual recognition, we aim to inspire the next generation of Kashmiri journalists to pursue excellence with the same intellectual depth and moral conviction that Khayal Sahib embodied,” he added.
The announcement was made in the presence of senior officials from the Press Information Bureau, Doordarshan News, and the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, along with a distinguished gathering of journalists, literary figures, media students from various universities, and representatives from several political parties.
Expressing his appreciation, Pandit lauded the Wisdom First team for organizing an impressive and meaningful event that not only paid homage to Khayal Sahib’s enduring contribution but also underscored the importance of preserving and advancing his intellectual and journalistic legacy.
