By: Syed Zia ur Rahman, YaHind.Com
Hyderabad, August 19, 2025 – Media Plus Foundation and Gawah Urdu Weekly hosted a vibrant felicitation ceremony at the Media Plus Auditorium to honor veteran journalists Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, head of Siasat.com, and Aziz Ahmed, Joint Editor of Etemaad Daily, for their remarkable 50-year careers. Chief Guest Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, former Indian Foreign Service officer, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Seychelles, and former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Special Invitee Amirullah Khan, Research Director at CDPD, joined to celebrate the journalists’ contributions to society.
Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez, Chief Editor of Gawah Urdu Weekly, opened the event with a powerful analogy, comparing Khan and Ahmed’s dedication to a rickshaw puller who “burns his blood” to serve, while a bus, running on petrol, symbolizing the journalists’ immense sacrifice. They don’t just write with pen and ink; they pour their blood into their work. With limited salaries and resources, their 50 years of service is truly commendable,” Parvez said.
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed lauded the journalists for their bold coverage of Muslim affairs and cultural issues, urging them to mentor aspiring journalists. “These experienced journalists should groom others to carry forward their cause and build on our rich experience,” he said. Emphasizing education, particularly for women, as vital for community upliftment, he noted, “If a woman in a house is educated, she ensures her children are educated.” Dr. Sayeed also highlighted economic empowerment, citing entrepreneurs, scientists, and hospital networks as key influencers. He shared plans for his portals, IndianMuslims.com and MuslimWoman.com, to document contributions of Muslim journalists since 1857, stressing the need to preserve such legacies. Reflecting on his career, he added, “I rose through hard work, not charity, proving that commitment and value addition matter regardless of one’s background.”
Mir Ayoob Ali Khan recounted his journey from Daily News at ₹100 per month to United News of India, Saudi Gazette—where he covered conflict zones for 17 years—Deccan Chronicle, Times of India, and now Siasat.com. He urged greater Muslim participation in journalism and education, saying, “People who follow English newspapers know what’s possible today.” Aziz Ahmed shared his path from part-time writing at Bharat News and Blitz to Etemaad Daily, advising, “Give your best, and the world will recognize you.”
Amirullah Khan, a 1993-batch former civil servant and Editor of the Journal of Development Policy and Practice, emphasized education and guidance for youth upliftment, reflecting on his long association with the honorees. Khaja Nasiruddin, Administrator of Dr. VRK Women’s Medical College, paid a silent tribute, calling for a culture of morality and compassion to honor such contributions. Dr. Abid Moiz praised Dr. Sayeed’s role as a “people’s ambassador” for promoting Urdu and Nasiruddin’s initiative in launching Urdu News and Malayalam News at the Saudi Research and Publishing Company.
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed presented mementos and shawls to Mir Ayoob Ali Khan and Aziz Ahmed. Afreen Khundmiri, daughter of Late Talib Khundmiri, captivated the audience with her recitation of her father’s poem Time Capsule. Syed Khaled Shahbaaz conducted the proceedings with elegance, and the evening concluded with a dinner for all attendees, celebrating the enduring legacy of journalism and community service.
- YaHind.Com
An excellent initiative honouring these selfless Journslists who have poured the our heart and soul into their work!
DOBARA-an NGO for senior well-being and the minimisation of loneliness amongst seniors is proud of Mr Mir Ayub Ali Khan – we are proud to say he is a good friend of DOBARA!
Kudos and hats off Mr Ayub Ali Khan Saab ! Duas for more energy and power to you on your unrelenting task of getting true facts out in the open !!