Demise widely condoled
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Jan 19: Epitome of Kashmir Journalism, Ghulam Nabi Shaida- who was Printer, Publisher and Editor of a local Urdu Daily “Wadi-ki-Awaz” breathed his last during the intervening night of Jan 18 and 19 at his Rawalpora residence here. He was 73 and was not keeping well from past couple of years.
“A sad news. Our senior colleague Ghulam Nabi Shaida Sahab (editor and owner of Urdu daily ‘Wadi ki Awaaz’) breathed his last at his Srinagar residence overnight. He would be, as per his will, laid to rest in the ancestral graveyard in Goripora village of Pulwama district in about couple of hours. Rest in eternal peace Shaida Sahab, you were a great man, an upright professional. We spoke over the phone only a few days ago and found him, as always, in high spirits despite health issues,” posted veteran journalist Yusuf Jameel on his Facebook handle.
Before launching his own Urdu Daily, Shaida had worked for different news papers. He never compromised with journalistic ethics and believed in calling a spade a spade.
After securing Post Graduation degree from Aligarh Muslim University, like others he too was part of Plebiscite Front and spent 43 days in Jail at Hari Nivas. During his early days, he was running weekly ‘Sahafi’ for 3 years and after that he launched his own Urdu Daily ‘Wadi Ki Awaz’ some 36 years ago. He was a prolific writer having on edge on almost all the subjects.
After the death of his wife Shama Zaidi who was from Hyderabad in 2015 due to cancer, he founded ‘Shama Foundation’ in her name who was also a prolific writer.
The main thrust of the Foundation was to facilitate the marriage of poor girls, provide assistance to the women suffering from cancer, conduct medical camps in far flung areas to provide medicare to the cancer patients.
Journalist fraternity expressed grief over the demise of Shadai. He was laid to rest in his ancestral grave yard at Goripora Barsu village of Southern Pulwama district.
Chief Editor of Precious Kashmir and Alsafa News Afaq Ahmed Bhat condoled Shaida’s demise and expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
Kashmir Editors Guild (KEG) while condoling his demise said that he was an upright person who would always be unbiased in his work and would always strive for the betterment of media institutions in Kashmir. “He will be remembered for his work and his humble attitude.”
“KEG stands with the family of the deceased editor in this hour of grief,” the statement issued by the body said.
The Executive Members of Jammu Kashmir Press Association held an emergency meeting, chaired by GH Kaloo, to condole his demise.
The members dwelt at length on the role and contribution of late Shaida in keeping the flag of Journalism fluttering, especially during the difficult period of the history of Kashmir. He was a man of principles and upheld the objectivity and ethics of Journalism. His passing away has left a void difficult to be filled. The members prayed for the eternal peace of his soul and expressed complete solidarity with members of the bereaved families.
News Agency ‘Kashmir News Trust’ has also expressed heartfelt condolence on the sad demise and prayed for the peace to the departed soul.
