Srinagar: 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 present Rawalpora Srinagar based residence. He was 73 and was not keeping well from past couple of years.
Before launching his own Urdu Daily, Shaida had worked for different news papers. Family sources said 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.
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.
National Conference President, Member of Parliament and former Chief Dr Farooq Abdullah and party Vice PresidentOmar Abdullah expressed profound grief over the demise of Ghulam Nabi Shaida.
In their condolence message the Party President and Vice President expressed unison with the bereaved family members and prayed for eternal repose to the departed soul in the highest echelons of Jannah. The duo said the deceased has left deep imprints on account of his writings in the field of Urdu Journalism in Kashmir. Terming Shaida Shahib’s death a great loss to the media fraternity in Kashmir, they recalled his affinity for socio- Cultural activities, saying that well-rounded personality of the deceased would remember for his immense contribution in the field of journalism, culture, and literature. In his demise, the valley has lost a bold and courageous voice, the duo said.
In his condolence message, PDF Chairman and former Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen highlighted contribution of Late Shaida in the field of journalism in Kashmir. He has expressed his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family . He has also prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Expressing deep shock and grief over the death of Ghulam Nabi Shaida, CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami termed the demise as a great loss.In a condolence statement issued on Tuesday he said Late Shaida was a veteran journalist. The contribution made by him in the field of journalism will always be remembered. In his death, we have lost a great asset and the vacuum left by his passing away in the media fraternity would be difficult to fill. Tarigami expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and media fraternity
