Rich Tributes To An Azadar Journalist

Marhoom Saeedul Hasan Naqvi Baba

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Members of Kanpur Press Club today paid glowing tributes to multi-lingual journalist Saeedul Hasan Naqvi on his third death anniversary. They also organized a symposium on “Growing Terrorism and Responsibilities of Journalists” in view of his reputation as India’s best known expert of international affairs. Speaking on the occasion, prominent ‘Yog Guru’ Dr. Ravindra Porwal said “Naqvi, who was endearingly known as Baba, established highest standards of journalism and opposed terrorism through his fearless writings. He was the only journalist who served with distinction the leading newspapers of Hindi, English and Urdu for four decades”.

He said that Baba dedicated his life not only for promotion of impartial journalism but also saved many a times Kanpur from the orgy of communal violence. Dr.Porwal urged newsmen to emulate the simple lifestyle and noble deeds of Baba.” I know I am asking for too much but remember that journalism is a mission not employment. Make a sacrifice instead of compromising with those powers who are encouraging terrorism to shatter world peace”.

Qazi-E-Shahar Maulana Alam Raza Nuri also recalled his friendship with Baba and attributed his tremendous popularity among people of all faiths to his humbleness, simplicity and a keen desire to help anyone in need without expectation of any return.”He was a man with innocent smile and saintly tributes that earned him the title of Baba”.

He also condemned the growing cult of terrorism and said “violence perpetrated in the name of Islam should be viewed as an act of misguided Muslims. Journalists can play an effective role in checking the growing terrorism by ignoring their websites, publicity material and inflammatory remarks.” Shahar Qazi said that Baba never encouraged separatist forces and his pen never wrote anything that was against secular fabric of the country.

Poet K.C. Tewari ’Chaan’ declared on the occasion that he has written a book ‘Ishq ka Naghma’ with dedication to the memory of Baba as he never found any journalist so simple despite being authority on variety of subjects. He recalled the his views were sought by BBC and other constituents of international media on contemporary issues.

President of the club Mr. Saras Bajpai said “credibility and popularity of Baba could be gauged from the fact that he remained President of Kanpur Press Club for fifteen years and no one ever contested against him. During his term, Chief Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and internationally acclaimed journalists visited the club to attend “Meet The Press” programs. Bajpai also said “credit for use of Urdu words in Hindi newspapers also goes to Baba. He convinced the Editor of Jagran Narendra Mohan Ji in 1972 to encourage use of Urdu words and the experiment not only increased the popularity of the newspaper but also led to its subsequent emergence as India’s largest media house”. Senior journalists, Dr.Har Narain Mishra, Akhlaq Jaisi, Haji Irfan and Avneesh also spoke on the occasion. They traced the origin of terrorism and gave tips how journalists could counter their move of garnering publicity through act of terror.

Senior Vice-President Haider Naqvi while proposing vote of thanks also reminded journalists that a large number of their counterparts fell prey to bullets of terrorists in 2015.”This should not be repeated in future. It will be possible only when journalists would resolve to create awareness towards the real intentions of terrorists who have no religion”. He urged Kanpur Press Club to organize a protest march and organize a lecture series on terrorism with noted journalists as speakers.

Saeedul Hasan Naqvi was born in a prominent Zamindar(Landlord)family of  Makanpur in 1931 and died on January 15,2013.He worked and edited newspapers like Dainik Jagran, Daily Action, National Herald, Blitz, Dainik Aaj, Paigham,Lok Bharti,  Siyasat Jadeed and contributed regularly to leading magazines. He started his career as a teacher but switched over to journalism under the influence of his friend Hasan Kamal, the famous poet, journalist and lyricist. Baba was a great devotee of Maula Ali and founder of Anjuman-E-Jafariya at Makanpur. This Anjuman till day is finest example of inter-faith understanding as its members are drawn from various sects of Muslims and Hindus. (Photo Courtesy-Manoj Yadav-Hindustan Times )