By: Syed Zia ur Rahman, YaHind.Com
Hyderabad: The Naseem Arifi Urdu Media Awards 2025, organized by CETI Foundation, was held on Saturday morning at the Telangana Media Academy, Chapel Road, Hyderabad. The prestigious event celebrated excellence in Urdu journalism.
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Senior Diplomat and former Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sayeed said that honouring Urdu journalists is not merely an award but a way of repaying a long-standing debt.
“Urdu is not the language of any particular region, class or community. Urdu is the language of India and Indians,” he emphasized.
He highlighted the glorious 200-year history of Urdu journalism, including the sacrifices of journalists during the freedom struggle, and urged journalists to always stand with truth. Dr. Sayeed also spoke about his personal association with late Naseem Arifi and paid rich tributes to him.
The program was presided over by Sri K. Srinivas Reddy, Chairman, Media Academy of Telangana. In his presidential address, Srinivas Reddy assured continued collaboration with CETI Foundation and highlighted the Academy’s initiatives, including refresher courses, workshops, and training programs for working journalists in coordination with the Telangana Urdu Journalists Federation.
Masoom Muradabadi, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, described the Naseem Arifi Urdu Media Awards as the first of its kind in India named after an Urdu journalist. He praised Naseem Arifi’s innovative spirit and contribution to Urdu journalism and expressed concern over the direction of mainstream media.
“Journalism is about turning ‘soch’ (thought) into ‘samachar’ (news), not spreading hatred and discord,” he remarked.
Other award winners who also spoke on the occasion included Dr. Yameen Ansari, Mrs. Rohini Singh, Fazal Baig, and Mohammad Aleemuddin.
Syed Basharat Ali, Founder and President of CETI Foundation, in his welcome address, said the awards represent the realization of Naseem Arifi’s dreams of encouraging upright and courageous journalists. He added that CETI Foundation had once again selected journalists known for their honest and fearless journalism.
Prof. Ehtesham Ahmad Khan, Dean & Head, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), detailed the transparent selection process of the awards and announced the launch of a new Film Making course at MANUU, encouraging Urdu journalists to enroll.
Awards comprising shawls, citations, and cash prizes were presented to the winners by Dr. Ausaf Sayeed and K. Srinivas Reddy. Several senior journalists and dignitaries were also felicitated, including Umar Daraz Khan, Aziz Ahmad, Jafar Hussain, Dr. Fazil Hussain Parvez, Aminul Hasan Jafri, and others.
On the occasion, the Media Academy released a Monograph Series on Padma Shri Abid Ali Khan and Naseem Arifi.
Amir Ullah Khan, Member, Telangana Public Service Commission, conducted the proceedings efficiently. The vote of thanks was proposed by M.A. Majid, President, Telangana Urdu Journalists Federation.
The event was a grand success, reaffirming the rich legacy and continued relevance of Urdu journalism in India.
Source: K. N. Wasif
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