Shujaat was a beacon of peace
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Shujaat was a beacon of peace

For over a decade Shujaat and I in an unrelenting effort were trying to give the people of Jammu and Kashmir a newspaper that would become a benchmark. With years of experience and having worked with major national and international news organizations, Sh

Post by on Sunday, June 13, 2021

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Hafiz Ayaz Gani

For over a decade Shujaat and I in an unrelenting effort were trying to give the people of Jammu and Kashmir a newspaper that would become a benchmark. With years of experience and having worked with major national and international news organizations, Shujaat quite matched those expectations. His work over the years had gifted him with an insight over almost every matter that I hardly have found in anyone else. When he left us in 2018, it was too early to discern as how much his absence would affect us – me personally, and the members of the extended family that had to carry on his legacy. After three years I am able to figure out what his personal and professional life meant to all of us. So when I write about from that day on, it should be read in continuity with what Shujaat’s aspirations were.   

There were some attributes in Shujaat that were noticeably apparent. He was a thorough professional, a gentle soul and a very busy person who would always be involved in things. In Rising Kashmir, as its founder and editor (editor-in-chief), there were so many responsibilities to shoulder. While working with him I came to know how prudently he handled even the toughest situation. Although it sounds easier when said, but to come out with a quality newspaper here, it is a hard task. The involvement is so much that at times it is difficult to separate the personal and professional life. To achieve it on daily basis, it requires an unflinching commitment.

Shujaat believed in social activism, besides lending time and support for literary causes. He was an active member of a cultural organization that flourished during his time. Because of his busy engagements, he had to make use of his time well. He helped people in need. He was at the forefront when some disaster would strike, for instance the floods of 2014. He was dedicated to any task he would take. I have not seen such dedication in people. To make his dream come true and give people the best newspaper that they deserve, it meant lot of work had to be done. Today, I am at least contented to say that we did our best, which is reflected in the newspaper as it has become valley’s number one English language newspaper, offering such diversity in local content that Shujaat always endorsed.

I believe those who leave us are not gone. They leave a path and it is entirely up to us to take it or leave it. We took the path and were more rigorous in our efforts after he left so that his legacy survived and his ideas flourished even when his physical presence is not there.        

The last three years had been full of twists and turns, but I think we did a good job. He laid the foundation of an institution, and we promise to expand its horizons in every direction, to take it to new heights. His guiding principles would always help us navigate through the rough seas but we will sail through, and that is what I firmly believe in. The team (Rising Kashmir members) has responded in the best possible manner to his absence, and today we have gained a lot of ground because of the hard work put up by every member of RK family. I am grateful to them for being considerate.

All through our journey, we have been open to people and very much inclined to take them onboard. One of Shujaat’s aspirations, the institution of Rising Kashmir has been persistently working on giving youth the platform and the push they need. We keep on introducing new and young talented people in the organization whose work I must say has been appreciated by a large number of people.

Often I have asked myself the question as what is that Shujaat would have himself endorsed if he were with us. It is this question that prompted us to publish a book posthumously highlighting his work. Now we are working to make Rising Kashmir the best newspaper in the entire region. This is what he wanted, and we are at peace to make it happen.

We all have our own way of making things happen. Shujaat had his own, and I have my own. But when both retrospect and present are objectively viewed, a clear picture is visible. It is this continuity and the will to make things better that drives us and allows us to achieve the impossible. So Shujaat may not appear before us today, but all he did and all that we built upon it is for everyone to see.    

There is no substitute to hard work. As editor of Rising Kashmir, I see every day bring forth new challenges. I have been willing to take these challenges head-on. The road ahead may not be easy, but I am prepared to travel the entire distance, for Shujaat, my own personal satisfaction and for RK family.

 

 

 


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