Lab newspaper of Media Education Research Centre for private circulation only

Izhar Wani A Smiling Star

This special issue of MERC Times is a tribute to Izhar Wani, one of the distinguished pass-outs of MERC whose immense contribution to journalism was recalled by one and all while mourning his death. He positively influenced the media discourse in Kashmir. MERC Times team has made an

effort by compiling various facets of his personality as depicted in the writings by the people who knew him in one or the other way (Editor)

Special Supplement

Vol: 4 | No.: 14 | December 15, 2011

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MERCTIMES 2 FROM THE ARCHIVES

(Courtesy: Media Times, 1999 Lab Journal Volume7Then Chief Editor Nasir Mirza)

Special Supplement

MERCTIMES3

Should the end come so soon?By Nasir Mirza

I thought he would get well soon. He had responded to the treatment initially. Doctors were all praise for him and he was all praise for the doctors! But destiny had some-thing else in store for him. In the second phase when

he was being operated upon, the reporter in him overheard the doctors talking about him- the patient lying on the operation table in a Mumbai hospital and that changed everything for him for-ever. He himself did not know till then that he was so un-well. It was heart breaking news indeed.

The person in white apron was his favorite character when he was a young student and at one point he had as-pired to become a doc-tor but now it was no more a likeable sight for him. The well-trained caring commu-nicator did not approve the careless talk. He knew it fully well that one stone is enough to break a glass and one sen-tence is enough to break a heart! Doctors tried to con-vince him but the message had reached the recipient. We cannot change the inevitable; he had seen the writing on the wall.

Three days before his death, I along with some colleagues went to see my taught Izhar A Wani at SKIMS ward three. He looked calm but was surprisingly very quiet. We tried to make him speak but he didn’t open his eyes though he was not in deep sleep. There was some little movement of his eyelids. We felt that he is trying to open his eyes but then it seemed he preferred not to be engaged with the worldly sights anymore.

Obviously he had his eyes fixed on a better place than this, better companions than us, evidently he knew he is about to leave for his heavenly abode. I was reminded of a verse of Holy Quran: ‘Wa Tabatal Ilaihi Tabteela’. Allah asks the pi-ous ones to take Him as a friend and none else. Take Him alone and leave the rest, seemed to be the message that he was following.

We noticed his lip movement but no words were audible. I thought he was talking to someone else other than the people surrounding his bed. A day after he passed away, his father

told me,” Izhar had a peaceful departure! ”Gentle journalistIzhar was a star; an alumnus of Media Education Research

Centre (MERC). In the class of batch 1987-89, he was a class apart! Ever smiling, always gentle, highly talented. Izhar was a definition of good journalism. He had a strong commitment

to fundamentals of the sacred profession. During his twenty-year eventful career, he worked for

reputed local, national and international news organizations. As the Bureau Chief

of AFP he carved a niche for himself in the highly competitive world of

media.He was undoubtedly one of

the prominent and promising figures on the crowded canvas of media in Kashmir. He add-ed a new dimension to con-flict reporting. He exhibited courage and commitment and maintained his integ-rity as an honest journal-ist. He was one of the most affable ones in the journal-ists’ tribe.

Izhar was blessed with the qualities of head and

heart. Once during the tur-bulent times, in mid 90’s, I

visited his office. There were some barricades and he had

closed the main entrance to his office and a small side door was

being used but as I approached his office he ordered his subordinates to open the main door. I told him not to take the trouble, but he insisted and told me that he had all respect for teachers.

Hour of griefWhile mourning his sudden de-

parture, I salute the grace with which his family especially his revered fa-ther faced this hour of grief. He used to recite verse of holy Quran during nights to console the ailing son who was in Iqbal’s words ‘Qabile ki aankh ka taara’, a darling of all.

Izhar will be remembered for his gentle nature, his well-mannered dis-position, his insightful reportage, and for his exemplary dedication to the profession. He was indeed a source of inspiration and would continue to in-spire the younger generation.

I feel while bidding adieu, the jour-nalist in him was asking the ques-tion: Should the end come so soon?

May Allah bless his soul! Aameen.

The writer teaches at Media Education Research Centre, University of Kashmir

(Courtesy: Rising Kashmir)

He was undoubtedly one of the prominent and promising figures on the crowded canvas of media inKashmir.

TEACHER’S TRIBUTESpecial Supplement

MERCTIMES 4

He did not sell the conflict for his personal

promotion but always practiced fair and balanced

journalism.

By Shuja’at Bukhari

I am lucky to have few e-mails in the inbox with a peculiar subject. Until yesterday they were among thousands of e-mails stored in my account. But today they are far more im-

portant for me as they were sent to me by my long time friend and colleague, Izhar Wani who depart-ed three days back for his eternal journey. The mails bear his signature subject “Rathsa Baya” (Take it brother). Some time I would ask him or Sheikh Mushtaq of Reuters to send a few quotes about an event I would miss.

I would depend on them as they would never play with stories or the quotes and for me were the most authentic reporters. Without any delay, Izhar would shoot off the mail to me with the sub-ject, full of love and affection.

To be a journalist in a conflict situation is not difficult as it helps a reporter to churn out stories and grow. But to be a journalist like Izhar is not that easy. A sober young man with an inimitable style of keeping people engaged, Izhar reported Kashmir fearlessly for two decades. Today’s jour-nalism is easy by other means as well. Equipped with I-Pads, mobile phones, laptops and other gad-gets, today reporters do not have to be in queue at the Central Telegraph Office Srinagar like Izhar and I did in early 90’s. It would always depend upon the mood of a few left out Kashmiri Pandit employees and the erratic power supply that our stories would cross the Banihal tunnel.

My first encounter with Izhar was in 1990 when he had joined the weekly newspaper “Sub-mission”. I had just passed out from college and was trying my hands on reporting. He was senior to me by three years but I never felt anything like that while working with him. “Hey Bhaya Be Chus Lokut” (Brother I am small), he would always say referring to his height and comparing it with mine. But it was always a treat to be with

him. I had many occasions to travel with Izhar on assignments. When Sopore town was burnt by the Border Security Force in January 1993, we trav-eled together. Forces were everywhere; we were stopped at many places. But Izhar was repeatedly telling, “We should not go back”. We managed to reach Sopore, cover the event and pass it on to the concerned organisations. There are many inci-dents, which I could recollect, but it would need a longer space to narrate them. Those encounters with Army, para military forces and also the mili-tants would lead to a book, eventually becoming a guiding force for the new comers in journalism. While Izhar was working with an international news organization AFP, he showed how Kashmir could be reported in a truthful manner. He never took refuge under fiction to occupy the pages of international newspapers. He did not sell the con-flict for his personal promotion but always prac-ticed fair and balanced journalism. Besides being a professional reporter, he also used to encourage youngsters to be good journalists. Izhar guided scores of such people but without any fanfare or self-praise.

Izhar was among those who broke the myth that Kashmiri boys cannot flourish in the media as it used to be the “domain” of a particular com-munity until 1989. We need many more Izhars but we will miss him. He was a great friend and sup-port. May Allah bless his soul.

(Courtesy: Rising Kashmir)

Izhar as I knew him

'RATHSABAYA'

COLLEAGUE’S SPEAK Special Supplement

MERCTIMES

Perhaps out of all of his

testimonies, what he taught me the best was

his life of humility.

5

By Showkat Nanda

Izhar Sir. So many thoughts; so many memories. Where to start…

“He is my everything”. That was my ‘tagline’ when people asked me

about him. It summed up all the informa-tion they needed. But for me it carries a greater truth¬---that I’ll never be the same again.

I know people who meet, know each other, visit restaurants and call themselves friends. Not him and I. I met him for the first time in the initial days of 2006 when I was an MERC student. But within a few months, our professional association turned into a deeply personal and emotional relation-ship. Our ideals, thoughts, likes, dislikes, weekends of fun and laughter brought us together. He became my godfather and wel-comed me into his family as a son.

He encouraged me to do my best in all things: photography, writing, and life. When I had questions, he would answer them. He always had the answers. He was a born story-teller. Every time he had some-thing interesting to say. I would listen, spellbound by the gritty details, drawn by something more powerful than curiosity.

I learned from him how journalism must be tampered with compassion and mercy. Perhaps out of all of his testimonies, what he taught me the best was his life of

humility. Time and again he would remind me that the formula for success in any field is humility. Anyone who knows him knows that his hugs were free and frequent. In an age and time when journalists are more

concerned with form than substance, he stood out like a rose among thorns.

Humor was his weapon against life’s miseries. I don’t remember any moment when we would not talk about all the fun-niest things in this world and roar with laughter. Life seemed to go on forever and I never thought about death.

The saying goes “you don’t regret the things you do, but the things you don’t do”. This being true, Izhar sir had no regrets in life and he truly was a man of his own desti-ny. While his life on this earth is complete, mine is not.

I cannot even begin to describe all the feelings I have: the loss, the sadness, the love, the hole in my heart. I want to pick up the phone and hear “Hey jigar, I am miss-ing you so much. Come to my office, we’ll have lunch together”.

Every experience I had with him formed a precious part of my life. I am incomplete without it, without him. We shared memo-ries that nobody else shares and he knew me differently than anyone else. He was my teacher, mentor, guide, my brother, an inspiration, and my best friend.

When someone you love dies, that part of you dies as well. You can’t re-live that memory with anyone else. That’s why, I will never be the same again.

(Showkat Nanda is a MERC Pass-out

working as a freelance Photo Journalist)

I’LL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN

TAUGHT TELLSSpecial Supplement

MERCTIMESBy Syeda Afshana

“She is my cousin, take care of her”, he said while introducing me to one of the faculty members of the varsity department where I had secured ad-mission. It was not for the first time that he turned out to be a true help for me by seeing me at the place where I am today. He had been a source of encouragement and facilitation since the times when I used to post my hand-written manuscripts to Greater Kashmir, of which he was a founder member. In fact, it was he who after having his Masters in Mass Communication & Journalism gave me an idea about this stream of study. He was the only one in our family to have pursued this unique subject.

Not just me, he was a source of inspiration for many other students and budding journalists who wanted to excel in the field of media. He inspired many of us to Izhar—to express ourselves for the greater good, to articulate with scrupulous impar-tiality, to be the communicators of reality.

Inspired toIzhar

I remember it was my first profile-writing as-signment as a student and I was confused whom to contact and interview. I was reluctant in meet-ing anyone I didn’t know. I called him up and he solved my problem. I succeeded in reporting my first profile. It was carried by the Lab journal of my department under the headline-‘Out of chaos, a dancing star: Izhar Wani’.

One gloomy morning, some unknown sad-ness gripped me. I somehow started for the Uni-versity when one of my relatives rang me and said, “Do you know, Izhar has to undergo surgery for treatment of a critical disease?” I had nothing to respond, nothing to express. Over some peri-od, I lost track of Izhar and in the process, sor-rowfully, lost him forever. It immensely hurts to recall that I could not be in constant touch with him. An occasional phone call or short message to enquire about his health was the only connect. In last sms, he wrote: ‘Keep praying for me’. He, for sure, knew that this was the only thing I was doing for him, from a distance away.

When Izhar was shifted to SKIMS in a seri-ous condition, I mustered courage to see him, fi-nally. A frail body was struggling with grace. He opened his eyes for a fraction of second and did not say anything. He left many things unsaid. And he also left many things unheard. But with that agile glimpse, he subtly made his Izhar. He was conveying his worry about the apple of his eyes, his two wonderful daughters. He was relat-ing to his brave parents whom he loved so much. And he was thinking about his better-half, whom he never wanted to be alone in the midst of a co-lossal tragedy.

I left the hospital with all obscurity, till I came to know that he had now nothing more to Izhar. I had hardly imagined that Izhar will prove to be a real dancing star, one day. The one that flickers even amidst the fatal chaos. The one that had the capacity to twinkle beyond the being.

Proving to be a courageous participant in the great play of life, Izhar was not just a sim-ple passer-by. His quality work and good deeds cried for him. I remember when I profiled him, he said: “If you are going to be a tough and hon-est reporter and a good person, you have to be prepared to pay the price and not necessarily to expect a reward. You do the job for its own sake, because it is right thing to do. Ultimately, that protects you”.

Of course, he protected himself. He was ex-cellently able to protect Izhar. His integrity and credibility was protected.

However, we the mortals could not protect him from the clutches of Death. We have lost a great friend, a great journalist.

His demise has brought home a harsh lesson of not staying in touch with our near and dear ones, for we never know that the moment we are with them may turn out to be the last moment. So, in the

hour of crisis, we need to be with them before we lose them. Forever. Today, I am again profiling him. But this time he is not around to

give me inputs. Even the phone connect is gone. This can’t be his obitu-ary. It is regrettably painful.

Let’s pray that we protect and preserve the values he stood for, all along. That can be the best tribute in his everlasting memory.

(The writer teaches at Media Education Research Centre, MERC, Uni-versity of Kashmir)

(Courtesy: Greater Kashmir)Izhar

Wani

Spec

ial6

Proving to be a courageous participant in

the great play of life, Izhar was

not just a simple

passer-by.

FRIEND’S FAREWELL Special Supplement

MERCTIMES7

By Suhail Ahmad

Some people leave an indelible impres-sion on us irrespective of the level or duration of our interaction with them.

Izhar Wani was one such person.The tributes and outpourings on his de-

mise reflect the great respect Izhar command-ed among his friends and acquaintances. It is a collective loss for the journalistic fraternity of Kashmir. Besides a dedicated and brilliant practitioner of journalism, we have lost a brave and compassionate human being.

As tributes pour in for Izhar, I flip pages of my life to relive the moments I shared with one of the most respected journalists of the valley. I got to know Izhar up close when I along with one of my batch mates Asif Khan were doing internship under him at AFP’s Srinagar bureau in 2005 as part of the three-week internship programme of Media Educa-tion Research Centre, Kashmir University.

Before the internship, I remember myself and Asif being confused and indecisive about the choice of organization before one of our teachers suggested AFP, more so because of the encouraging attitude of the man heading its Srinagar bureau.

Earlier as young and enthusiastic stu-dents of journalism, I remember how the names of renowned journalists like Izhar instantly evoked aura of respect. They were

virtually the heroes of our field. We spent our days as beginning journalists going through their stories and trying to learn the craft of storytelling.

I remember being a bit tentative and nervous on the first day of our internship at AFP. But the very first time I saw Izhar, all those inhibitions seemed to vanish in air as we were greeted with that unforgettable smile of his. He was far from the stereotype of a senior professional’s attitude towards jour-nalism novices, with humility reflected in his words and gestures. He always ensured to make us feel at ease by cracking an occa-sional joke. I also remember that serious look on his face as he filed the stories for AFP at his desk. His support staff, including the pho-tographers, was more like a family for him. The internship certificate signed by him will always remind me of those precious days of learning.

After the internship, I remember visiting his office couple of times to seek his help in getting a place at some national newspaper. He was gracious enough to call some people and suggest my name. Again his smile and politeness was so reassuring and enough to calm the tense nerves of a struggling MERC pass out. Such a supportive attitude means a lot to young aspiring journalists.

I did not see him for a long time later. The last time I met him was in a parking lot at Lal

Chowk. I was getting to my car when I heard somebody call my name. As I turned back it was a familiar smiling face. Izhar was ever so courteous.

It was disturbing for me when I first heard about his serious ailment, but some-how I felt he will recover despite the deadly nature of the disease. However, some days back when I heard about his worsening con-dition at SKIMS, I was no longer sure about his survival. It was hard to believe that Izhar was living his last moments.

I could not go to SKIMS to see Izhar dur-ing his last days; one of the reasons being that I could not muster the courage to see him at the deathbed. I prayed for his health like oth-ers, but destiny prevailed.

Besides the sadness over his death, I also felt bad for not going to see him at the hospital. But I asked myself how could I rec-oncile with the image of a man at his death-bed whom I have always seen smiling? It would have been painful to see him in any other state, but with that smile. The image of Izhar on the hospital bed would have been too heavy to carry forward. Perhaps I did the right thing not to see him at the hospital so the pleasant image of a smiling Izhar will al-ways remain with me.

May Allah rest his soul in peace. Aameen!(Courtesy: Rising Kashmir)

Izhar’s inimitablepersona

AN INTERNEE’S TRIBUTESpecial Supplement

As tributes pour in for Izhar, I flip

pages of my life to relive

the moments I shared with

one of the most respected

journalists of the valley.

Ev e r y time an Izhar Wani passes away, you

wonder why the Almighty snatch- e s quality human beings so early from us. He battled with cancer showing exemplary courage but the disease left him so enfeebled he had no en-ergy left in him and the angel of death had the final say. As always!

After the news of the malignancy went out, networking sites like facebook were awash with prayers for his re-covery as they were with condolences and mini-obits when he passed away on Wednesday. He was immensely popular and loved by everyone who knew him.

It is not the longevity but the depth of the life, said Emerson, and Izhar was a model of what it implies. His disarming smile that will haunt his family, friends and admirers was a soothing balm. How he could wear it so unfailingly is something that always enthralled me.

And his signature smile wasn’t the only trait

A smileCalled

IzharTRIBUTE BY

SHABIR HUSSAIN BUCHH

he will be remembered for. He was a journalist extraor-dinaire, both in terms of reportage and daredevilry to venture into battle zones that were fraught with peril not only for the forces and the combatants but for the reporters as well. His wisdom was often relied upon by Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri journalists alike. Yet, he was so unassuming. At mere 44, he was a veteran of the trade having already reported Kashmir for over two de-cades with absolute professionalism and courage. His office was frequented by foreign correspondents who

wanted an unbiased opinion on what is happening in Kashmir in addition to getting advice on how and

where they should start off from.A look at Izhar’s fact-file tells us how rich his career was; there isn’t even one in-

stance where we see a downward trend. He went from

strength to strength.

H e

was one of the founder members of J&K’s premier Eng-lish newspaper, Greater Kashmir, and had left his mark while working for other Kashmiri and Indian publica-tions before finally joining AFP, the organisation that not only gave him international fame but a far greater scope to his work.

Since our offices were in the same building at Ex-change Road, we would run into each other almost ev-ery day, besides sitting over a cup of tea once in a while. I can still see him park his car, come out nonchalantly sporting that infectious smile, walk into the office prem-ises and say hi to everyone he bumped into. He would re-charge you with his charismatic disposition even after he knew he was fighting cancer.

It takes a great measure of the goodness of your heart to reach a stage where malice, jealousy and other vices have no place in your life; and everything that Izhar did would bear testimony to that. I have seen him talking to his juniors, who loved and respected him enormously, with such compassion as if they were his family and not just colleagues. The way he was adored by his colleagues was so awe-inspiring and I’m sure they must be feeling

orphaned. His colleagues, some of whom were older than him, will miss a father figure, as will many

other young journalists who have interned un-der him. His contribution towards mentoring

upcoming media professionals is enormous. Talk to the boys and girls who have worked

with him when they were freshers, you’ll see the respect they have for him as a guide and human being. He was humility

personified, for he would even make a novice feel very special.

In my numerous interactions with him, I never saw him speak against anyone even once, this at a place where branding people as agents and stooges is so commonplace. I don’t know what his source of inspiration, strength and greatness was!

Was he like he was because he was a devout Muslim or was it that he was born like that is something that would always intrigue me.

He was in partial coma a couple of days before his death and the brave face his father and wife put up had given many of us a hope but God had His own plans. It is difficult to come to terms with

the stark reality that he won’t be among

us physically a n y m o r e but he will live in our memories as long as we live.

(Courtesy:

Greater Kash-

mir)

8REFLECTIONSpecial Supplement

MERCTIMES9

Izhar goesBy Ajaz ul Haque

Orhan Pamuk’s My name is Red has a chapter titled `I am Death’. The angel of death introduces

himself so mysteriously and comments on a conversation going on between a painter and an onlooker called an `old man’ in the novel. The old man throws a challenge for the painter and asks him to draw death (like one draws a sketch). The painter expresses his inability and says that he can’t draw something he has not seen. The old man replies that the genius of an artist lies in depicting the imaginary. He incites him to make something no human being has physi-cally seen. The Death is curiously lis-tening to their conversation as both are discussing him only. Then the painter makes an attempt to draw Death on the canvass. He paints fear. A humungous heavenly being with wings extending from the east to the west. That is how an artist could think of a concept called Death. Had that artist seen Izhar Wani on the hospital bed, he would have painted death not as fear, but as pain. The idea of death does not sound as frightening as the idea of pain. And that is how one could conclude on seeing a man full of energy and verve fighting hard to get rid of a life-devouring pain.

Visiting Izhar, (a prominent jour-nalist of the valley who lost to cancer this week) was like seeing death in hu-man eyes. It felt like a hellish tide of pain flowing up his throat and oozing through each pore of his body. The ruth-less disease had almost consumed the whole being leaving just flesh and bones behind. A smiling young man was re-duced to a crying, curling being. He had become pain personified. The young man was battling for almost a year but had to give up at last. It was a scene that depicted helplessness of a human being at its worst. That is the point where the whole hope hangs not on life, but on death. A pain-eaten, pain-bitten human body seeing itself in the fangs of death was telling a story through his eyes. His well-wishers prayed for his recovery which seemed like praying for a miracle. Just two days after, Izhar fled to the world of no return. Who could have imagined Izhar calling it a day in his prime. That is what this sleep-snatching disease does to innocent souls. It mercilessly takes away humans after leaving them writhing with a pain which makes life far more painful than death. It was a tearful moment for each one who attended him, vis-ited him, prayed for him and couldn’t just stand the agony which ultimately snatched away this wonderful human being from us. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.

(Courtesy: Greater Kashmir)

In a conflict area like Kashmir, where truth became the first casualty, prominent journal-ist, Izhar Wani fearlessly searched for truth

through his reporting.This was stated by Giles Hewitt, the South

Asian Director for the AFP, while speaking at a condolence meeting on the fourth day of promi-nent journalist, Izhar Wani. Izhar, the bureau chief of AFP in Kashmir, passed away on April 4 due to cancer. He was 46.

“In a conflict area where truth becomes the first casualty. During his over 20 years long as-sociation with AFP, Izhar’s reporting was always based on facts. His factual reporting made him a credible journalist not only in AFP but among the media fraternity here,” Giles said.

He said media persons working for long in conflict areas have the tendency of becoming cynical, getting detached and losing trust in oth-ers.” Despite working for over two decades in the conflict area of Kashmir, Izhar neither became cynical, detached nor lost faith in others. He con-tinued to be a media person with positive frame of mind having high professional and personal skills. These skills made very popular in media circles, “Giles said.

The AFP south Asia director said covering the human interest stories related to the affect-ed people in a conflict area are very important. “Izhar presented the sufferings of people very ef-fectively through his news stories,” he added

Giles said some years back AFP organized a workshop in Singapore to train journalists for working in conflict areas. “Having worked for so long in conflict area, Izhar humbly accepted the invitation. But at the workshop he trained the other journalists including the instructor,” he said.

(Courtesy: KT News Service)

Izhar: “He fearlessly searched for truth”

He had become pain personified. The young man was battling for almost a year but had to give up at last.

REFLECTIONSpecial Supplement

MERCTIMES 10

By Peerzada Ashiq

Writing an obituary of a lovable and caring person, whom I met, as if yesterday, in the flesh, dies at 46, is

too painful. But, since I owe Izhar an apology, there is no other way but to put it in black and white.

Despite my friend’s insistence to see Izhar at the Srinagar hospital, I deliberately avoid-ed to watch him lying on the deathbed. There was a purpose in this avoidance as I want to live all my life with the image of him with that everlasting grin, which earned him only friends and no foes. My apologies to Izhar, a senior, who would always pat juniors, for not being brave enough to see a brave soul bat-tling for his life at this age.

I knew Izhar as a senior I looked up to when I started making rounds of Press En-clave as an aspiring reporter. In a city, where for every fresher there are a dozen discourag-ing people, Izhar was a rare support. “I like

your situation stories for being more informa-tive. They are the best,” Izhar told me once, enough to elevate my spirits as a reporter. He had never met me before. This comment was his first interaction with me.

Izhar was an obscure promoter of talent from Kashmir. Several strugglers in the field of the journalism were put through to right contacts by him, many doing wonders now. “There is a vacancy in Pakistan office. Keep trying, I am on it,” Izhar would assure a Kash-miri who stayed back in Pakistan after his marriage there last year.

Izhar’s list of going out of way to help talent is a long one. One fine day, Izhar called my friend asking him to do a book on Kashmir with a well-known Delhi-based publisher. The book was a big hit but Izhar’s duty would end only at introducing a talent with a promoter. Izhar never asked what happened to the book and what was paid, as if he was born to encourage others selflessly.

Izhar had a progressive approach towards girl child. He would never miss to message col-leagues on giving birth to a girl child, quoting Quran to explain how a girl’s birth opens gates of the Heavens for parents. I hope same for Izhar.

I never knew the real warrior Izhar till I got to know that he was detected with can-cer and underwent a successful surgery in Mumbai last year. After his return to Sri-nagar, Izhar ensured to counsel people af-flicted by the same disease, giving them hope and strength to battle it out. Many patients, after listening to him, are braving it till date but the warrior lost battle himself, four days ago.

His mobile phone ring tone song “Mein kabhi batlata nahi” from movie ‘Taray Za-mein Pay’ will ring in my mind all my life with a prayer on my lips for the departed soul and a great Kashmiri. May the best of the Hereafter is your destiny now. Keep smiling up there, Izhar…

Courtsey : Online Magazine kashmirwalla.com

Izhar – An obscure promoter of Kashmiri talentREFLECTION Special Supplement

I, like most of his people would remember Izhar through his understanding and description of Kashmir that he sent out to the world.

Parvaiz Bukhari (Batchmate of Izhar at MERC)

MERCTIMES11

By Arun Joshi

Izhar Wani was a born winner. He was a fighter all through. But when it came to beating death, he was overpowered. At 40, he had created

for himself a niche in journalism. He would beat deadlines and withstand pressures of working for an international news agency – Agence French- Presse or AFP, with a disarming smile.

News gathering and reporting was his pas-sion. He would take any amount of risks to reach the spot. He allowed himself to be trapped in April 1993 in Srinagar Police Control Room, reporting almost on a minute to minute basis for his agency. It was a war like situation – the army had sur-rounded the police control room to disarm revolt-ing policemen. Anything could have happened

any time.“Why you are there, come out. It’s danger-

ous there”, one of his colleagues advised him, to whom he was regularly feeding with the latest from the spot. “This is the place where I should be at this point of time”, pat came the reply. Izhar loved such situations. And reported with colour where others would envy him at times.

His word was trusted all the time, because he would check , double check the facts before put-ting that on wire. Still his agency was ahead of oth-ers. Militant leader Mushtaq Zargar was arrest-ed. Mushtaq was one of the three militant leaders, including Masood Azhar, who were released in exchange of the hijacked passengers and crew of IC 814 in December 1999.It was a very chilly morn-ing of harsh Kashmir winter . The time was 7 a.m.

His source rang him up, and he was up and went to the central telegraph office, Srinagar to break the news to the world , that was his commitment to the profession.

Even after he scaled new heights in journal-ism, he would always offer due respect to his seniors and contemporaries. He was a devout Muslim, offer prayers, taking time out of his hard pressing schedule.

His humility and respect for his seniors and contemporaries was simply great. He was an en-cyclopedia of calendars and events.

Today that man is gone, who introduced a brand of journalism, which will inspire young-sters. “What’s the news, Sir”, I want to hear that, but that voice has gone silent for ever.

(Courtesy: Hindustan Times)

Izhar Wani, the winner lost this time

By Gowhar Geelani

Good Bye Izhar, You Expressed Love; Hope!

Our hapless Kashmir Valley is deprived of a gem; a noble soul, humble being, humorist, matured man, seasoned

journalist, good human being, well-wisher and a dear friend. Izhar Wani, is no more present amongst us in a physical sense. He breathed his last on 4th of April, 2012, Wednes-day. Tragic! Tears! Prayers!

Izhar – an Urdu word; which when rough-ly translated into English could mean to ex-press and/or reveal. He revealed to us the se-crets of honest, fearless and fair journalism. He expressed love and hope. I knew him as an optimist. He lived the name of his meaning.

My association with Izhar dates back to year 2001-02. I am grateful to Faisul Yaseen – my close companion, who acted as a conduit between Izhar and me more than a decade ago.

In my first ever interaction with Izhar, he made me so comfortable that I thought I knew him since ages. In the ‘colony of bullying tac-tics’ and ‘fraternity of egoists’, he greeted all young budding journalists with a broad smile. Unlike many others, he was not full of himself. Izhar commanded respect.

Izhar spoke less and delivered more. For him, it was always ‘less is more’.

Like me and Faisul, he too was a cricket enthusiast, adventurous and fond of winter sport. He was one guy you did not need a for-mal appointment to meet with. He was just a phone call or a casual message away. Even our surprise visits to his old office located at Polo View lane in Srinagar would make him happy. With a perennial smile on his divine

face, he always offered help and valuable tips and suggestions, as a friend. He treated us as his younger brothers, not junior colleagues.

I remember it was July 2010. Izhar had up-loaded some pictures of his two cute daugh-ters, Saira and Saba. Those pictures were clicked at Harwan, Srinagar. I made couple of comments on the pictures, writing that his younger daughter seemed “naughty and mis-chievous” and the older one “very smart”. Izhar wrote: “….spot on….When they fight, Mohalla has to intervene.” We loved him as much as his wit and humour.

After hearing this tragic news about his demise, I feel shattered. I am checking all my previous e-mail conversations, chats and Facebook messages we shared and ex-changed. It was December 2005 and I had sent him an e-mail to greet him on Eid. Regard-less of importance, he seldom ignored e-mails from friends. He replied: “Thank you dear. May this year bring lots of happiness and con-

tentment into your life! May your family pros-per and may u [you] become the greatest of all so that people envy me saying ‘he is Izhar’s friend.’ regards and lots of love. Izhar.”

He had friends all across the globe. It so happened that I got several opportunities to meet some of his friends and former col-leagues in Europe. And believe me, Izhar would figure in our conversations for all the good reasons.

By his very nature, Izhar was a friend to all; enemy to none. But as a professional jour-nalist, he also knew his role and responsibil-ity well and delivered the goods. As special correspondent of the world renowned news agency – Agence France-Presse [AFP] – he made a name for himself. He was a proud Kashmiri.

I never visited his home. I did not meet his family members. I don’t know his date of birth. Yes, I know it was June 11, but frankly I have no idea about the year. Sadly, I know his date of demise now. This leaves a pang in my heart. I can’t claim to be one of his clos-est friends. But I knew him. He knew me too. That was enough. All I could tell you friends is that the best trait Izhar possessed was ‘do good and forget’.

Izhar, I don’t know whether I have met your expectations. I don’t know whether I have become the one you wanted me to. But I do know that people envy you, without me becoming great; for you possessed plentiful good qualities and wonderful traits.

Your family members, two cutest daugh-ters, friends and colleagues will miss you. I will miss you. And I am sure that Kashmir will miss you too!

May God grant you an elevated place in the Heaven! Ameen!

Courtsey : Online Magazine kashmirwalla.com

Kashmir will miss you, Izhar...REFLECTIONSpecial Supplement

MERCTIMES 12

By Saroj Razdan

My old chirpy friend Izhar is no more. It is hard to believe that I will never get to see this gentle soul, whose sin-

cere and straightforward nature made him a misfit at times in this world of masked identi-ties. That I will never get to listen to his crazy jokes and mimicry of teachers and seniors. That I will never get to hear his voice that was so full of zest for life. In my memory I can still vividly see him walking on the verdant KU campus, with a warm expressive glint in his eyes, ready to make some joke or satiri-cal remark. Threads of long discussions and conversations with him are passing before my eyes, moistening them. It is difficult to be-lieve he has suddenly left us forever. Even af-ter exodus, we remained in touch. Occasional calls for sharing inputs on professional front, sometimes followed up by lighter conversa-tions recalling good old time of Kashmir Uni-versity days was all that kept a bond with him post University’s golden period.

We all were bound to disperse after Post Graduation period which was unique in many ways, but dispersal happened in un-fortunate and undesired circumstances. Tur-moil broke out days after we completed our course at MERC (1989-90) . For months, the close-knit bond in a group of 20 (our batch) remained shattered . Few of us tried to pick up the torn threads of our friendship which we had woven with love and care. Some of us

remained in touch but none of us could ‘re-store’ same old golden era of KU.

When Izhar phoned me last year, I had come to know about his illness. I deemed it proper not to ask specifically about it, nor talked about the details of treatment he had started In Mumbai by that time. He sounded low and his voice was in mellowed tone con-trary to the chirpy and lively style he used while talking to old friends. However, there was no change in his warmth and expres-sive style of conversation. His last words that still resound in my ears and fail to convince me he is no more now…..a reassuring prom-ise he made that he would come to Jammu in winters along with the family and spend some time with me. “Insha Allah Main Is Bar Zaroor Aaunga …..”, was the word he gave to me.

It was through friends- Rubina in Delhi and Zahoor Malik in Srinagar- I heard this heartening news that he was responding well to the treatment and there was not much to worry about. He too divulged this later and sounded happy and optimistic when we spoke on phone again after some time. That was his last call reflecting small happiness and hope, which was snatched by destiny re-cently .Izhar to me or anyone in the group of 20 was not simply a batch mate. He was more than a good friend. His sincerity and straight forward nature , his quality of not ever hav-ing hurt anyone during the stint at MERC, remains etched in my memory. His ability to

call a spade a spade , which he would do using pun and satire in remarks , would often make us all burst into laughter even in moments of serious fights and arguments.

Izu …the name we would fondly call him at times was certainly the one that would turn tense moments into lighter moments with his instant jokes and jester like acts, filled with mimicry and satire, not sparing even teach-ers and seniors. It was Izhar again, with his good humanly qualities who would try to keep the group of 20 intact when sharp dif-ferences and fights would erupt particularly during trips outside the University campus. He was sharp and intelligent. His wit perhaps was what made him different from all of. Ini-tially he was shy and reluctant to mix up, but later he became a darling of all. He cared a lot about friendships. He left us stunned when he tried to forge unity in the entire batch after a group of six chose to stay aloof showing some kind of attitude. Knowing Kashmiris, you know how difficult a job it is.

Chhor Oye ....,Super Six or Super (shi )………….it was a slang we all knew when and for whom he would use and turn us hysteri-cal while laughing. We miss you Izhar for no one can replace or substitute your unique-ness. You could not keep promise that you had made to me ….that is the only regret. I could not see you one last time and recall our good old innocent days. All I wish now is to see in your children , your soul and gentle-ness grow and flower.

A promise Izhar failed to keepBATCH MATE’S ELEGY Special Supplement

By Parvaiz Bukhari

I didn’t recognise it then, but Izhar possessed an acute sense of humour, at once personal and political. I guess that quality, combined with his straightforwardness and hon-

esty served him well as a fine journalist that he later turned out to be. The first day I met Izhar as we joined the MERC at the University of Kashmir, I found it impossible to escape his endearing nature. He always possessed this natural ability to convey what he thought about a person, a situation or an issue through his amazing wit and a terrific ability to place his views in context at the very first instance. As we went on studying at the department, Izhar first struck me as a natural photographer of nuance, a talent that he was to later use to motivate and train a few youngsters who went on to become accomplished photojournalists in their own right. Humility and gentleness are the two qualities that introduced Izhar to everyone he came across. Apart from these qualities, I, like most of his people would remember Izhar through his under-standing and description of Kashmir that he sent out to the world. Beyond all this I will remember Izhar as a believer, a lovely friend and a family man.

Izhar-An Embodiment of Qualities

MERCTIMES13

By Souzeina Mushtaq

“May be death is the great equalizer, the one big thing that can finally make strangers shed a tear for one another.”

‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is an inspira-tional book that talks about a student-teacher relationship and how after 16 years, Mitch Al-bom rediscovers his teacher Morrie, who is suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclero-sis (ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease, a brutal, un-forgiving illness of the neurological system, and the teaching therefore.

Morrie is a sociology professor at Brandeis University, who is now retired and is on his death bed. Mitch Albom is a suc-cessful sports columnist for the Detroit Free Press. After watching his teacher on a popu-lar show on television, Mitch is prompted to

travel from Michigan to Massachusetts to visit him; the newspaper strike allows him to meet his teacher on Tuesdays. The teaching which requires no books, no syllabi lasts for fourteen Tuesdays. It is taught from experi-ence, and the subject is meaning of life.

On 4th April, 2012, a name joined the league of Morrie who was rediscovered and remembered by all the Mitchs’ he had touched- Izhar Wani.

Izhar Wani was a prominent Kashmiri journalist working for an international or-ganization, Agence France Presse (AFP) as a Bureau Chief. He was an alumnus of the de-partment of Media Education Research Cen-tre of batch 1987-88.

I came to know about the blessed soul only after his death. Reading about him when his fellows, colleagues, and admirers poured

their hearts out on paper, I felt a pinch in my heart; why do we often come to know about great people after their death?

Izhar was declared as ‘the gentleman of the tribe’, a person who had always up-held the sanctity of professionalism. A mere glance through one of his pieces on Kashmir conflict gave me an idea that he was no less than Anthony Shadid in reporting things.

The students of journalism, who dreamt of becoming journalists like him but had a weak nerve to opt for the field, are working enthusiastically. The mere pat on the shoul-ders of budding journalists by this ‘lighthouse of journalism’, as they would call him, guided hundreds of people in the field. As he starts his new journey in heaven, his philosophy of life will continue to inspire his Mitchs’ and others, always. May his soul rest in peace.

IZHAR – the Morrie of Mitchs’! IMPRESSIONSSpecial Supplement

By Rouf Bhat

After pondering for a couple of days over a person called Izhar Wani, I was completely stuck, as what to write about such a person? The one who had

already reached the pinnacle of journalism. Being a beginner in journalism, it is impossible for a student to understand the tenets of journalism and then to write over the legacy of Izhar Wani. Nev-ertheless, I tried to write a tribute to a person whose work in coming times will be a thought for journal-ism schools. And perhaps, at pres-ent, it is so for those who as begin-ners have learnt the tricks of trade from Izhar Wani.

Izhar Wani, who worked for a number of organizations- local, national and international, left a mark everywhere with his profes-sionalism. He started his career in journalism when I was just 2 years old. He had worked with all fervor and zeal to fulfill his professional duties despite the harshest condi-tions in Kashmir, prevailing at that time. I never met him personally but I feel as if I knew him from decades. I know him from his work, the worldwide acclaimed one.

It was my friend, Ishtiyak Malik from whom I heard about Izhar Wani after joining Media Education Research Centre of Kash-mir University. Ishtiyak, like me, was also a beginner in journalism, but still had some exposure to the media world and as a result, was in contact with a number of people in journalism. He used to talk about Izhar Wani, his humility, care and love for budding journal-ists and more importantly, his professionalism. ‘Izhar is a gem’, Ishtiyak would always repeat this line before me, and consequently

made me curios to know Izhar Wani.I started browsing his works online to know more about him. I

was surprised to see his reportage over Kashmir. He had, of course, tirelessly worked from one of the difficult places to report from. This

is how I know him. I still try to find his pieces online to copy his style. His simplicity as a human being is even reflected in his work.

One day, Ishtiyak told me that he will introduce me to Izhar Wani. I was all excited but to my ill- luck, when we reached his of-fice at Kothi Bagh, he had left the office. I was sad that I missed this opportunity, and I felt I am never ever going to meet him again be-cause Ishtiyak had already briefed me about his illness.

His death is a catastrophe for young and budding journalists. Perhaps, he was the only man in Kashmir who would always ex-tend his help to a fresher in this field. Now, working for an organi-zation, I realize that there is no one to direct you, no one to help you; you have to do all by yourself. But I am surprised and meditating as to how could Izhar Wani—a man

who donning the pinnacle of journalism, help beginners to establish their foothold. Perhaps, he was the gifted man God has created; a gentleman with a permanent smile. Surely, those who have worked with him were lucky ones. But this gifted man is no more with us. A cruel disease snatched him from us on 4th April, 2012.

No matter, he left us but his work will always inspire us to achieve excellence. I am sure those who will follow his work will definitely carve a niche for themselves in journalism and will try to be somewhat like Izhar.

May Allah bless his soul.

‘You will continue to inspire hundreds, like me’

MERCTIMES 14 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE Special Supplement

By Nazir Ganaie

April, 04 Srinagar

It was a moment of remarkable together-ness as varied mix of people, whether main-stream political leaders, scribes, or sepa-

ratists, allowed their ideological differences to sink in, and joined hands in paying last re-spects, tearful adieu to the Srinagar’s AFP Bu-reau chief and the former Associate Editor of the Kashmir Observer, Izhar Wani. Wani, who breathed his last today, had been battling can-cer for the last two years. He was laid to rest at his ancestral graveyard at Gupkar Road here. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Prominent journalist and Agence France Pres-se (AFP) Special Correspondent (Srinagar Bureau Chief), Izhar Wani, 46, passed away on Wednesday afternoon at SKIMS hospital here.

Thousands of people from all walks of life including Journalists and politicians bid a tearful adieu to Wani.

Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2010, Wani underwent treatment at a hospital in Mumbai last year. After returning home, Wani again devel-oped complications and was bedrid-den. He was admitted in SKIMS last month after his health condition de-teriorated.

Journalist fraternity of the State, particularly Kashmir has condoled his death, terming it a great loss to the profession of journalism in Jam-mu and Kashmir. Among his friends and colleagues, Wani was known for his humility, courage, professional attitude and humorous behavior.

People from many parts of the globe paid glow-ing tributes to Wani on different micro-blogging and social networking sites including Facebook.

“Izhar’s untimely death has robbed India and AFP of a great correspondent,” AFP Asia-Pacific director Eric Wishart was quoted by AFP.

“He showed tremendous courage in covering an extremely complex and dangerous conflict for so many years, and showed the same courage in his fight against cancer,” he said.

Among the earliest Mass Communication graduates from the Kashmir University, Wani headed Agence France-Presse (AFP), bureau in Kashmir, and had been a vigorous team-member of several newspapers starting up in Srinagar, having served with the Kashmir Observer as As-sociate Editor in the late nineties.

The young journalist, who like many of his contemporaries had braved, and survived, the deadly conflict in Kashmir, fell to a relapse of his illness that had been detected some two years ago.

Though major surgery at a top Mumbai hospi-tal soon afterwards appeared to have granted him a new lease of life, a sudden turnabout last year

had forced doctors to pronounce his days num-bered.

According to friends and relatives, Wani con-tinued to work even with a death sentence hang-ing over his head, but filed his last story on Janu-ary 16.

Izhar’s careerA thorough gentleman and a good Samaritan,

Wani started his career as a journalist in 1990 with an English weekly. He worked with many local dailies including at the Kashmir Observer where he served as an associate editor before joining AFP. While performing his professional obliga-tions, Wani was beaten several times by police and paramilitary personnel in past 20 years. However he would never compromise on professional eth-ics. Some of his stories on Kashmir conflict won

him international acclaim and he was hailed for his detailed reportage by his parent organization.

Wani reported extensively on wide range of subjects including Kashmir conflict, human rights, politics, and human interest issues during his stay in AFP. He reported in detail on Kargil War that almost brought India and Pakistan on the brink of nuclear conflict. In 2004, he was sent on special assignment to United States by AFP.

A POL IVP nominee in 2004, Wani was a founder member of one of the first English lan-guage newspapers in the valley.

He contributed through his writing to re-nowned international journal Time Magazine. Before joining AFP Wani worked with many New Delhi based media houses including The Asian Age, India Today, Dutch Radio and a Jammu based daily.

An alumnus of Media Education Research Center, University of Kashmir, Wani was a visit-ing guest faculty to several institutions teaching journalism courses across the State.

He was a source of inspiration for many youth to join journalism and would constantly encour-

age them to pursue their career in this field.Wani received his initial schooling from Burn

Hall School, Srinagar and later joined SP College here to complete his graduation.

“R.I.P. Izhar. I’ll always remember the utmost professionalism of your work,” wrote Washing-ton-based Shaun Tandon, Wani’s colleague in AFP on Facebook.

“…Thank you for being so encouraging and supportive to an AFP newcomer. We lost you too early my friend,” wrote his another colleague in AFP, Ammu Kannampilly.

“This is a real loss to the field of Journalism in Kashmir. We have lost a brilliant story teller, a humble human being and a gentle friend,” said noted columnist and faculty member at MERC, Syeda Afshana.

“The impressive part of his personality was that he was al-ways optimistic even when he was on his death bed,” she said.

Meanwhile separatist and mainstream leaders condoled death of Wani. Many pro free-dom leaders including Chair-man Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Geelani, Nayeem Khan, Javaid Mir, Shabir Shah, Sha-keel Bakshi, Shahid-ul-Islam, Ayaz Akbar participated in the Nimaaz-e-Jinaazah of Wani.

Separatist leaders includ-ing chairman parallel faction of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Chairman Peoples League Mukhtar Ah-mad Waza condoled his death.

In his condolence message Chief Minister, Omar Abdul-

lah expressed deep grief over the demise of Wani. Omar conveyed his sympathy and soli-darity to the bereaved family and prayed for peace to the departed soul.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condoled Wani’s death. In a condolence message, PDP pa-tron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, party president Mehbooba Mufti and spokesman of the party Naim Akthar expressed their heartfelt condolenc-es with the bereaved family.

Kashmir Journalists Guild (KJG), an apex body of Broadcast Journalists in the Valley, has expressed shock over the Wani’s demise.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Associa-tion expressed grief on the sad demise of Wani. In a condolence meeting here Bar paid rich tributes to the departed soul.

Meanwhile social networking sites, facebook and twitter remained flooded with users paying tributes to Wani.

“Izhar Wani was the gentleman of the tribe,” read an updates from journalist Azhar Qadri.

Courtesy: Kashmir Observer

Tearful Adieu To Izhar Wani

MERCTIMES15DOWN THE MEMORY LANEPHOTO ESSAY

Izhar with his MERC batch mates (1987-89)

MERCTIMES 16

Patron: Vice-chancellor Prof. Talat Ahmad Students Editorial team: Imran, Mukeet, Ashraf, Ab. Rouf, Hajira, Baseera, Ab. Qayoom, Souzeena, Basit, Sheikh Ruhail,Ashiq

Chief Editor: Prof. S. Mufeed Ahmad, Editor: Muslim Jan, Graphic Designer: Aga Shahie-mail: editor.merc@gmail.com

The opinions expressed in the write ups are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy of MERC Times or the department of Media Education Research Centre

ADIEU Special Supplement

“I had my own notion of grief.I thought it was the sad timeThat followed the death of someone you love.And you had to push through itTo get to the other side.But I’m learning there is no other side.There is no pushing through.But rather,There is absorption.Adjustment.Acceptance.And grief is not something you complete,But rather, you endure.Grief is not a task to finishAnd move on,But an element of yourself-An alteration of your being.A new way of seeing.A new definition of self.”

-By Gwen Flowers